'Good' rating for adult care services

The City Council's Adult Social Care Services achieved an overall score of 75 in the inspection which was carried out in November.

Inspectors found high quality services across the board, with all nine key areas examined rated 'Good'.

In a report published on Friday 9 May, the CQC said the council worked with people, partners and the local community to make available a range of services, facilities, resources and other measures to promote independence, and to prevent, delay or reduce the need for care and support.

Summing up people's experiences, inspectors added: "People told us they received clear information, regular reviews, and emotional support from the local authority staff. They said the staff supported them and listened to their personal preferences and wishes such as quieter living environments and family connections."

They also noted 'a strong focus on reablement to support people to remain independent at home' and how 'the service fosters a culture of continuous improvement, with leaders who are passionate about their community taking innovative approaches to address any service gaps.'

Welcoming the report, Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Sunderland City Council, said: "I'm delighted that the high-quality adult services we provide to our residents have been recognised as being 'Good' by the CQC.

"This achievement demonstrates how our services are putting residents at the heart of everything we do. It was also brilliant to hear that residents using our services felt that they were being listened to and supported to live more fulfilling lives.

"The fact that our services have been rated 'Good' across all nine key areas inspected is also testament to the dedication of our staff delivering this high quality support across the city."

Key findings in the report include:

• People being given help, advice, and information about how to access services, facilities, and other agencies for help with non-eligible care and support needs
• The local authority being passionate about working with partners to promote a shared commitment to the health and wellbeing of people in Sunderland. There was a particular focus on collaboration to maximise community assets and strengths
• People reporting positive experiences with assessment and support, including increased independence, choice, and control
• Effective systems, processes, and practices in place to make sure people were protected from abuse and neglect
• Clear and effective governance, management, and accountability arrangements at all levels within the local authority
• People saying their journey through adult social care was focused on their wishes and they felt listened to. Pathways and processes ensured people's support was planned and co-ordinated across different agencies and services.

James Bullion, CQC's chief inspector of adult social care and integrated care, said: "At this assessment of Sunderland City Council's adult social care services, we found leaders had a passion for providing good care. They had a clear understanding of where they needed to address issues and were making continuous improvements to benefit people living in Sunderland."

The full report can be read here: Local authority assessment reports - Care Quality Commission