Adult Social Care team rated Good overall by Care Quality Commission
START, Shropshire Council’s in-house reablement service, has been rated Good overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Members of START L to R: Tracy Rice, Dawn Greatrex, Amy Tipton, Romney Alpas and Ann Ashley
START is a crucial part of the council’s pathway that ensures appropriate care is available to support people when they are discharged from hospital. START enable over 60% of people to achieve full independence again in a period of two to three weeks.
The CQC came to inspect the service on 1 and 2 October 2018 and gathered views from the registered manager, support workers, several current service users and relatives. The inspection team also checked care records and health and safety records kept by the team.
CQC looked at five main areas in order to check that the service is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led. All areas were found to be rated ‘good’.
The CQC is the independent regulator of all health and social care in England.
Key findings in the report
‘People felt safe. People were protected from the risk of harm or abuse because the provider had effective systems in place which were understood and followed by staff’
‘People received effective care. People were supported by staff who were trained and competent in their roles’
‘People were supported by kind and caring staff who took time to get to know people and what was important to them. Staff treated people with respect and respected their right to privacy.’
‘People were involved in planning and reviewing the care they received which helped to ensure people received a service which met their needs and preferences.’
‘The registered manager was committed to ensuring people received a high standard of care. The provider had effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.’
What did current service users say in the report?
“I feel completely safe and the staff always check my house is secure before they leave.”
“I feel the staff are very well trained and know what they are doing. I don’t have any worries when they are helping me.”
“All the carers are so very kind. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to stay at home. I am very happy and so very grateful.”
“On the first visit I knew I was in good hands. The staff member rekindled my love of reading by lending me two books which I now can’t put down. There are wonderful people looking after me.”
Councillor Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, said:
“The rating of ‘Good’ gives deserved recognition for the fantastic work START carry out on a daily basis all year round.
“START has a strong reputation for giving people the care that they need when they are discharged from hospital.
“Staff are experienced, well trained and put people in their care at the heart of what they do which has been evidenced by the feedback from service users, staff, management and the CQC in this report.”
Further information
START is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. START provide a short-term assessment and re-enablement service to Shropshire people who have been assessed as requiring short term support following hospital discharge, to help them regain the level of independence they had before they became unwell.
START can also support people for a short time to prevent an admission to hospital.
You can find out more about how START support people to become independent in this video here.
https://shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-choices/personal-stories/jeans-story/
