Adult social care rated 'good' in latest report

THERE WERE MANY PLEASING FINDINGS

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

A CARE regulator has rated Stockton Council's adult social care services as "good".

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reported on how well the council is meeting its responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support under the Care Act 2014.

It assesses councils on how they work with communities and partners, promoting the wellbeing and independence of working-age disabled adults, older people and unpaid carers to reduce the need for formal support, and giving people choice and control over how their care needs are met.

Scoring Stockton Council in different areas, it found the authority showed a good standard in supporting people to lead healthier lives, care provision, integration and continuity of care, partnership and communities, safeguarding, governance, management and sustainability.

It found "some shortfalls" in assessing people's needs, equity in experience and outcomes, safe pathways, systems and transitions, learning, improvement and innovation.

The CQC found no areas showing an exceptional standard or significant shortfalls in the adult social care service, which supports residents with needs relating to physical or mental impairment or illness which makes them unable to manage daily life and is likely to affect their wellbeing. It found people could access equipment and minor home adaptations in a timely way to maintain their independence and continue living in their own homes.

It said the local authority worked with partners and local communities to provide services to promote independence. These included community courses to improve skills like cooking and providing information about finances to help people stay independent.