Wandsworth residents were said to be supported at an early stage to prevent or reduce their need for more care
Adult social care run by a South London council has been rated ‘Good’ by the care watchdog.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) praised Wandsworth Council for having “dedicated and compassionate” staff who were well managed and supported people to access safe care, although inspectors raised some concerns.
Inspectors found staff worked with people at an early stage to prevent, reduce or delay their need for further care, including providing equipment to allow them to keep living at home. People said they felt safe, with the watchdog confirming there were robust policies and procedures to look after them safely.
Staff reported feeling valued and motivated, with leaders praised for being supportive. The watchdog said there was a clear focus on wellbeing and equality in the workplace, while there were effective systems to make sure people were protected from abuse and neglect.
However, the CQC warned feedback on waiting lists was mixed depending on the team and staffing levels. People with complex needs were often placed outside the borough, while it was not always easy for unpaid carers to access support in an emergency.
Labour councillor Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, said: “We are not complacent and looking forward we know we have some areas for further development, such as keeping waiting times as short as possible and ensuring that there is always the best available choice of local care services.
“But we are proud of the service we provide. We set ourselves high standards and are pleased that the CQC has recognised the hard work and skill of our staff who have delivered the support people need and deserve.”
The CQC’s report said the council worked well with partners to support people “holistically and in the least restrictive way”, including ensuring smooth transitions between services. It said staff made sure residents had equal access to support through outreach services in less accessible areas.
The report said: “The local authority was focused on the prevention of future needs and reducing reliance on services. Staff were focused on achieving positive outcomes for people.
“Individual examples of promoting independence and reducing dependencies were shared, such as providing people with equipment to help them continue to live safely at home. The local authority worked well with partners and the community and voluntary sector to prevent, reduce and delay needs and worked with partners to achieve shared outcomes.”
Among the concerns raised in the report were waiting times, which had affected the outcome of some people’s care – including those waiting for a review or occupational therapy assessment. Inspectors found the council was using AI to improve the screening process and slash waiting lists.
Inspectors also found there was not always enough provision in Wandsworth for people with complex needs, although most of these people were placed in neighbouring boroughs rather than much further away. They discovered there was a risk of people not receiving appropriate care in an emergency, as it was not always easy for unpaid carers to access immediate support.
The council said it made sure people had access to a “wide range of care that is safe, effective, affordable and high-quality”, while it was working with providers to create more places for those with complex needs in the borough.
Councillor Henderson added: “In Wandsworth we are committed to providing excellent social care. Our priority is to prevent ill health to enable people to stay living independently. That’s better for residents and cost-effective in the long run.”
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