Milton Keynes City Council has been placed among the top ten local authorities in England for its adult social care services, according to a Care Quality Commission assessment published on 6 February 2026. The CQC awarded the council a ‘Good’ rating with an overall score of 78%.
The CQC flagged the council’s multi-year Prevention Strategy, launched in 2023, as a key factor in the result. Inspectors and the council point to a shift away from crisis-driven responses toward prevention and support that help people remain independent in their own homes for longer. The report also highlighted Milton Keynes’ strength on equity of experience, noting improvements in access to support for residents from different backgrounds.
Funding for some of these changes was included in the council’s 2025/26 budget, which was approved by Council in February 2025 (decision recorded 19 February 2025). That budget package included a 2.00% Adult Social Care precept as part of an overall 4.99% council tax increase. The additional income was ring‑fenced for adult social care and intended to help stabilise the local care market and support workforce capacity and supply — measures the CQC and local documentation identify as contributors to maintaining service quality amid national financial pressures.
The council’s work to address earlier recommendations from a 2023 Local Government Association peer challenge — including improving data integration and preparedness for assurance — is also reflected in the CQC findings. The assessment specifically notes more efficient handling of care assessments and strengthened safeguarding arrangements, which should improve support for local households receiving adult social care.
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