Outstanding rating for council social care service

A Croydon Council service that places people needing tailored social care to live with specially-trained households has received the top inspection rating for the second time running.

National body the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has again judged Croydon Shared Lives as Outstanding overall after it got the same rating at its last inspection in 2015.

The council service places more than 60 adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues in family homes to receive short-term and long-term care.

As a result of the latest inspection carried out in November, Croydon Shared Lives was rated Outstanding for being caring and well-led, and Good for being safe, effective and responsive, leading to the overall Outstanding rating.

Positive feedback to inspectors included:

• Carers demonstrated a deep understanding of people’s needs and preferences, and treated them as individuals
• People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives
• Staff were offered training which helped them meet the needs of the service users, and felt it was an excellent organisation to work for
• The service worked closely with health and social care counterparts both within and outside the council, and feedback from professionals was “extremely complimentary”

Based on interviews with service users, the inspection report summary said: “Feedback from people was overwhelmingly positive with regards to all aspects of their care. They spoke in glowing terms about their carers and the service in general. They said all their needs were met and that carers treated them with the utmost respect and promoted their independence. They said they felt like equal family members in their homes and led active lives in their communities.”

One service user told inspectors: “My care here has been all about what I need to live a proper life instead of a meagre existence and it’s given me my life back.”

The CQC’s Debbie Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector, Adult Social Care, said: “I continue to be impressed with the standard of care provided by Croydon Shared Lives. It is clear to me that the service is totally focused around the people it serves. Feedback from those that used the service, carers and other healthcare professionals was always exceptionally positive. Keep up the good work.”

“Croydon Shared Lives finds local people with learning disabilities or mental health needs not somewhere to stay but a real, caring home where they get the right support to flourish.

“This CQC rating is another fantastic result for everyone involved in the service, from council staff to NHS partners, and this motivates us all to do even more to support the needs and independence of those in our care.”

Councillor Jane Avis, cabinet member for families, health and social care

To read the report in full, visit the CQC website.

2019-02-08T08:29:23+00:00 February 8th, 2019|Recent news|