The plan sets out a clear, co‑produced programme to strengthen services, improve outcomes and ensure long‑term sustainability.

The submission follows six months of focused work across the council, NHS, police, LGA, care partners including Blackpool Carers Centre, Trinity Hospice and Empowerment Charity, staff and people with lived experience of adult social care in Blackpool.

The plan sets out how the council will create long term and sustainable improvements to adult social care, creating strengths-based approaches that will create stronger communities and allow adults to have a greater say in the care they receive.

The plan addresses four key areas: working with people, providing support, safety, and leadership.

Cllr Neal Brookes, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:

Over the past six months, Blackpool Council has already made demonstrable progress.

A strengthened Improvement Board, independently chaired and supported by a Department of Health and Social Care–appointed improvement adviser, is providing external challenge and assurance.

Deb Butcher, Chair of the Improvement Board, added:

Independent audits of frontline practice have been completed, with improvements already implemented, including redesigned workflows, clearer practice standards and enhanced legal literacy for staff.

Significant investment has been committed to support delivery of the plan, with more than £1 million allocated specifically for improvement activity, alongside additional funding in the council’s approved 2026/27 budget to meet rising demand.

This investment is supporting more leadership capacity, improved safeguarding oversight, stronger performance and quality assurance arrangements, and a renewed focus on workforce wellbeing and development.

Since the establishment of the Improvement Board:

• The percentage of people who received short-term support and didn’t require additional support has increased
• The number of people with an overdue review has fallen
• More people are supported in the community
• The percentage of people provided with information, advice and guidance at first point of contact has increased
• The percentage of people who report their preferred safeguarding outcome had been met has increased
• The maximum referral waiting time has fallen across three main areas: community and hospital, learning disability and mental health
• The maximum time for assessments has fallen

The improvement plan has been developed with staff, partners, carers and people who use services. A dedicated Co‑Production Board and a Voice of the Workforce Board ensure that people with lived experience and professional insight continue to influence decision‑making.

Key priorities for the next phase include embedding consistent, strengths‑based practice across all teams; improving access to timely assessments and reviews; strengthening safeguarding arrangements; developing clearer pathways at the first point of contact; and building a more robust, real‑time performance and intelligence framework.

These changes are designed to help people stay independent for longer, receive support closer to home, and feel safe and confident in the care they receive.

Blackpool Council now will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, its Improvement Adviser and system partners to demonstrate progress and ensure that improvements are embedded and sustainable.

Anybody wanting to make contact with adult social care services can visit http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/adultsocialcare or call 01253 477800.

Any comments on Blackpool Council’s adult services can be raised at www.blackpool.gov.uk/comments