Adult Social Care Services provided by Somerset County Council are of the "Highest Order"
| Published: 29th November 2008 13:23 |
Somerset County Council's Adult Social Care Services have been given a 3 Star "Excellent" rating, the highest possible rating, for the fourth year in a row by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).
The services, which work with older people and adults with a learning disability, physical disability or sensory loss, are rated "Excellent" for both ‘Delivering Outcomes' and ‘Capacity to Improve'. Somerset County Council is the only County Council in the country to achieve that accolade in both the key judgement areas.
Among the key strengths and achievements identified in CSCI's report are:
- Effective and clear leadership.
- An extensive volunteer network which is well supported and trained.
- The Partnerships for Older People Project (POPPS) pilot scheme and its 48 Active Living Centres (ALC) which enable people to access information on health and well being at local level.
- Intensive and complex home care packages that have reduced residential care placements and increased home care.
- Somerset provided a far higher number of breaks for carers of people with mental health needs and older people than other councils.
A 24 hour freephone 0800 174319 - Carer Counselling service offering information and advice to those who care for vulnerable family or friends.
Through its Adult Social Care Services, Somerset County Council helps 8,000 elderly people continue living independent lives in their own homes, last year organised breaks for more than 3,200 carers, and through its Work Preparation Service is providing work experience, training and support to 400 adults with learning disabilities to improve their chances of future employment.*
Councillor Justin Robinson, Somerset County Council's Portfolio Holder for Health and Well-Being, said: "We could not have achieved these excellent ratings without the close partnerships we have developed with volunteers, partner agencies and carers. I look forward to building on these partnerships to seek further improvements to our services."
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