'Good' verdict for care of vulnerable adults

Phil Corrigan examines issues raised by the Care Quality Commission's assessment of services provided by Staffordshire County Council

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VULNERABLE adults in Staffordshire receive 'good' social care services from their council, an assessment has found.

The Care Quality Commission says Staffordshire County Council's adult social care provision is performing well and meeting the needs of users.

Local authorities are undergoing a new type of assessment from the CQC, which considers how they meet their responsibilities under the 2014 Care Act. Staffordshire has received an overall score of 75 per cent, meaning it has been classed as 'good', the second highest rating. It also received 'good' ratings in each of nine individual areas, such as safeguarding, assessing people's needs and governance. Service users, their families, unpaid carers and staff were all interviewed as part of the assessment.

According to the CQC report, people in Staffordshire have access to a range of services and resources 'to promote independence and improve the quality of their lives'. Service users told the CQC they found referral pathways easy to navigate and they felt involved in decisions about their care.

Unpaid carers said the council recognised their distinct needs, and support options were easily accessible. The CQC also found partnerships between the council and other organisations such as the NHS were 'very strong'.