Care services 'best in country'

3:00pm Sunday 30th November 2008

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SOMERSET County Council’s adult social care services are better than any other county council’s, according to the latest national performance assessment.

They scooped the highest three-star ‘excellent’ rating for the fourth year in a Commission for Social Care Inspection.

The services for older people and adults with learning and physical disability or sensory loss were rated excellent for delivering outcomes and capacity to improve – the only county achieving the double.

Somerset’s community director Miriam Maddison said: “This is a wonderful endorsement of the hard work and dedication shown by all our staff.

“Their efforts make a huge difference to the lives of people across Somerset.

“As a service we strive to go beyond providing care and support, aiming to provide for life and give all our service users the best opportunity to achieve their full potential.”

Among strengths and achievements identified in CSCI’s report are: *good leadership; *an extensive, well-supported and trained volunteer network; *a scheme enabling people to access information on health and well-being; *home care packages to reduce residential care placements and increase home care; *breaks for carers of people with mental health needs and older people than other councils.

Somerset’s adult social care services help 8,000 elderly people continue living independently, last year organised breaks for more than 3,200 carers and provides work experience, training and support to 400 adults with learning disabilities.

Cllr Justin Robinson, the council’s portfolio holder for health and well-being, said: “We couldn’t have achieved these excellent ratings without the close partnerships we’ve developed with volunteers, partner agencies and carers.”