People with learning disabilities across Cambridgeshire are benefiting from high-quality, compassionate and person-centred support, according to four Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessments published today (Thursday 30 July).
Following visits in April 2026, the CQC rated the Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership (LDP) services in Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire and City and South Cambridgeshire as Good overall, recognising significant improvements since their previous inspections in 2023.
The inspections assessed the services for people with a learning disability against the CQC's key areas of Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. All four local partnerships received ratings of Good in all areas, with the exception of Well-led where they were rated as ‘requires improvement’.
In addition, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and City and South Cambridgeshire all improved their Effective and Responsive ratings to Good, while East Cambridgeshire improved its Safe and Responsive ratings to Good.
Inspectors highlighted a range of improvements delivered jointly by Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, including reduced waiting times, stronger multidisciplinary working, improved staff supervision and appraisal processes, enhanced safeguarding arrangements, and a greater focus on reducing health inequalities and supporting people into adulthood.
They also recognised the benefits of Cambridgeshire County Council's Supporting into Work programme, including TAG Bikes, Blossom and Bloom Community Café, Ely Community Café and Hotpots Coffee Shop, which help people develop skills, confidence and employment opportunities.
The reports identified several areas of outstanding practice. Inspectors said: "The service was exceptional at treating people with kindness, empathy and compassion and in how they respected people's privacy and dignity."
They also praised the strong partnership between health and social care services, saying: "The service always worked well across teams and services to support people. They shared thorough assessments of people's needs when they moved between different services, so people only needed to tell their story once.”
The reports highlighted the accessibility of support available, stating: "The service was exceptional at ensuring people could access the care, support and treatment they needed when they needed it."
People using services and their families echoed these findings. One person told inspectors: "This service is brilliant, I wouldn't be here without it."
Carers also described staff as "all very committed" and "excellent and very knowledgeable".
While the findings were overwhelmingly positive, all four services received a Requires Improvement rating for Well-led. This was due to one standard in relation to statutory notifications not always being submitted to the regulator in line with requirements. All other standards within the area of Well-led were rated as good or outstanding. Actions have been completed to ensure going forward statutory notifications are submitted in line with CQC requirements.
Councillor Graham Wilson, Chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "We are delighted that the CQC has recognised the dedication, professionalism and compassion of our Learning Disability Partnership teams.
"These assessments are recognition of years of hard work by our integrated health and social care teams. We have focused on reducing waiting times, strengthening safeguarding, improving staff support and supervision, and ensuring services work seamlessly across organisations so people get the right support at the right time.
"We are particularly pleased to see inspectors recognise the work being done to improve access to services, support independent living, reduce health inequalities and create opportunities for people to live healthy, fulfilling lives within their communities.
"While we welcome these results, we also recognise there is more to do. We have already taken steps to strengthen governance arrangements and will continue working with our NHS partners to address the areas identified by the CQC and drive further improvement.
"I would like to thank our colleagues, NHS partners, carers and people who use our services for the role they have played in achieving these positive outcomes."
Steve Grange, Chief Executive Officer at CPFT said: “These ratings reflect the dedication, compassion and professionalism of colleagues across our Learning Disability Partnership. We are delighted to see the four services rated Good overall and the significant improvements recognised by the CQC.
“The reports highlight the benefits of our integrated approach with the Council and our shared commitment to helping people with learning disabilities live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives. This recognition is a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnership working. While we welcome these positive findings, we remain focused on continuous improvement and providing the best possible support for the people who use our services.”
You can read the reports in full at:
City and South Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership - Care Quality Commission
East Cambridgeshire Learning Disability Partnership - Care Quality Commission
Fenland Learning Disability Partnership - Care Quality Commission
Huntingdonshire Learning Disability Partnership - Care Quality Commission
