By Ellis Moore
Wigan Council has been awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating for its adult social care services – the top grade available – following an independent assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the body that regulates health and social care in England. It is a rating that is rarely awarded, and one that will be particularly reassuring for anyone who relies on Wigan’s care services, has a family member who does, or who may do in the future.
The CQC visited Wigan in December 2025 and assessed services across nine areas, grouped under four themes: working with people, providing support, ensuring safety in the system, and leadership. The council scored highly across the board, with the overall result placing it among a small number of local authorities across England to have achieved the top grade.
Inspectors praised the way staff build relationships with residents, listen carefully to individual needs, and work alongside families and communities to help people maintain their independence, dignity and confidence. The report highlighted a “strong, person-centred culture”, effective partnership working with the NHS and the voluntary sector, and an approach that actively encouraged staff to try new ways of working.
The CQC report also noted that most requests for support were met through a wide range of preventative services, helping people remain independent for longer and reducing the need for more intensive care. Unpaid carers – often among the most overlooked people in any care system – received personalised support and had access to a range of services and personal budgets. The council had also introduced a “named worker” model, meaning people consistently dealt with the same member of staff and could build a relationship with them over time.
Cllr Keith Cunliffe, cabinet portfolio holder for health and adult social care, said: “Every day our staff bring warmth, skill and heart to difficult situations, and they do it with a belief that people deserve to be seen, heard and supported as individuals.
“We work with NHS partners, local care providers, organisations, businesses, communities, the voluntary sector; this report reflects all the work over many years, it’s a great achievement. This is for all of them.”
He added: “We’ve been able to set a culture and an environment where good people can do great things. Our culture allows people to speak up, share ideas and keep improving – and that spirit is what makes the real difference to residents’ lives.”
Chris Badger, the CQC’s chief inspector for adult social care and integrated care, said the council should be extremely proud of the result, and suggested other local authorities could learn from the report.
The CQC assessment was published on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Read the full assessment report on the CQC website.