Rutland Tops National Charts County Crowned Best in England for Adult Social Care

Rutland Tops National Charts County Crowned Best in England for Adult Social Care

By The Rutland Democracy Reporter

Rutland County Council is celebrating a historic achievement this week after being named the top-performing local authority in England for adult social care.

Newly released data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for the 2024/25 period confirms that the UK’s smallest county is delivering some of the nation’s biggest results. Rutland secured the number one spot out of 150 local authorities across four critical performance measures within the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF).

The ASCOF is the national gold standard for measuring how effectively councils improve the lives of vulnerable adults. Rutland led the country in four specific categories, Social care-related quality of life, How well support services help people live fulfilling lives. Overall satisfaction, The feedback from residents who directly use these services. Feeling safe, The proportion of service users who feel secure in their environment. Effective safeguarding, The ability to reduce or remove risks when concerns are raised.

Beyond these top rankings, Rutland’s performance was remarkably consistent across the board, placing in the top 20 councils nationally for 10 out of the 19 ASCOF measures.

For local residents, these statistics translate into a system that prioritizes dignity and independence. The council’s approach is rooted in "person-centred" care ensuring that services listen to individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.

Cllr Diane Ellison, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, described the results as a testament to the "dedication and compassion" of local teams. "Being ranked number one nationally in such important areas shows that our focus on people and outcomes is making a genuine difference to residents’ lives," said Cllr Ellison. "I am incredibly proud of the way our services support people to feel safe, valued, and in control."

In an era where social care systems across the UK are under immense pressure, Rutland’s success offers significant reassurance to carers and families. The high scores in reablement and safety mean that when residents face health setbacks, the local system is uniquely equipped to help them return home and remain connected to their communities.

The council has pledged not to rest on its laurels, with Cllr Ellison adding that they will continue to work with partners to ensure these services remain sustainable and continue to improve lives well into the future.