ISLE of Wight Council adult services has ‘promising’ prospects for improvement after being rated as having ‘uncertain’ prospects for improving last year according to the government.
The Commission For Social Care Inspection – the independent government body which looks at the council’s performance in adult services – rated the authority adult services as a ‘two star’ service and highlighted the council’s strong leadership leading to promising judgment as well as its commissioning of services and use of resources.
The council was judged to be ‘good’ for improving the quality of life for residents, making a positive contribution to the community, increasing choice and control for clients, maintaining personal well-being and respect and giving people freedom from discrimination and harassment.
Among the key strengths highlighted by inspectors were adult services strong leadership which was supported by committed elected members of the authority.
The council was judged to have ‘robust’ partnerships with statutory agencies, accessible information to support healthy lifestyles and gives a high profile to equalities work within the council.
The council’s free personal home care for people aged over 80 was singled out for praise as was the use of intermediate care to avoid people being admitted to hospital or early discharge from hospital.
People with learning disabilities are given increasing opportunities for employment and volunteering and they were judged to have a ‘good’ involvement in the shaping of services.
People with mental health problems were also given ‘sustained’ support so that they could live at home.
There were also an increased number of breaks for carers and inspectors noted that helping carers was a key target for the council in the coming year.
Sarah Mitchell the council’s director of community services said: “We have an ambitious agenda on the Isle of Wight to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable members of our society.
“Particular thanks must go to Claire Foreman the council’s head of community care and John Metcalfe assistant director of community services for thier hard work in improving a range of services for vulnerable people across the Isle of Wight in the past year.
“Our free home care service for the over 80s is just one of the ways in which we are striving to give a first class service to people on the Island who most need our help and support.
“There is still a great deal to be done but I am confident that with the superb team that we have in place we can deliver an excellent service to residents.”
Councillor Dawn Cousins – the council’s cabinet member for health and well being said: “We have made improvements across the range of services that the council provides to help the most vulnerable members of our society.
“The whole adult services directorate deserves to be congratulated for its hard work during the past year. There is of course, no room for complacency but we are now travelling in the right direction to deliver an excellent service to people on the Island.”
Leader of the council Councillor David Pugh said: “This report displays how much hard work has been undertaken by adult services staff at the council over the past 12 months.
“Sarah Mitchell and her team and Councillor Cousins are to be congratulated for their efforts and I am confident that with the personnel we have in place we can continue on our journey to make adult social care services three star rated.”
