ONE of Barnsley Council’s most costly services which looks after the town’s most vulnerable residents has been told to implement changes following an inspection.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) conducted a review into Barnsley Council’s adult social care provision following reforms as to how gradings are given.
Although carried out last September, the report’s findings were only released this week.
Inspectors looked at how the service worked with partners, promoted wellbeing and independence, and support people’s experiences of adult social care in the town.
The service was deemed to ‘require improvement’, inspectors concluded, although the local authority confirmed to the Chronicle that changes have already been made following the CQC’s ruling.
Bosses are now ‘confident’ the work is moving them in the right direction.
Katy Calvin‑Thomas, executive director for adult social care and integrated health, said: “Although this rating is not where we want to be, the CQC’s findings highlight many areas of positive practice across our services.
“The report also provides valuable insights into where we need to accelerate improvements to best support our communities.
“Demand for adult social care continues to grow locally and nationally, with more people living for longer with more complex needs and conditions.
“Despite these pressures, we remain committed to making sure people receive timely, quality, person-centred care and support when they need it.
“Our teams are committed, skilled and compassionate, and with clear plans in place, I’m confident we will make the changes needed to deliver the best possible outcomes for Barnsley people, helping people to live well for longer, feel listened to and achieve what matters most to them.”
According to the council, the CQC’s findings offer a ‘valuable, independent view’ of how well they are supporting people in Barnsley and where they must go further.
The report found they are performing well in several areas, including local area councils and ward alliances funding community projects and activities that improve wellbeing and reduce the need for formal care, and more people are also being supported to stay at home safely thanks to increased home care provision and practical support such as tracking devices for people with dementia.
It was found that the council has robust systems in place to monitor care providers and there is enough care provision in Barnsley to meet people’s needs, including home care and residential care.
The CQC recognised improvements already made in relation to financial assessments, with finances bosses expecting the improvements to continue in what’s been an overbudget provision.
Higher costs for supported living arrangements was cited as a key driver for the service being £1m in the red.
Councillor Stan Bryan, cabinet spokesperson for adult social care and integrated health, added: “We’re proud of our workforce’s dedication to do right by our residents and this assessment gives us a valuable opportunity to strengthen support for local people.
“We’re clear that people in Barnsley deserve the very best care and support and we will use this outcome to keep improving our services.”
Support needs to help ‘committed workforce’
THE Care Quality Commission praised ‘committed’ staff following its inspection but confirmed some aspects of the council’s service did need to be improved.
Chris Badger, CQC’s chief inspector of adult social care, said: “When we inspected Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, we found committed staff and strong foundations in some areas, particularly around partnership working and supporting people to live healthier, more independent lives.
“However, we also found areas where people weren’t consistently getting the support they needed, which is where leaders still have work to do to address this.
“For example, some people told us they didn’t always know whether they’d receive support or where it would come from, and the referral pathways weren’t always easy to navigate.
“Unpaid carers had mixed experiences, as some weren’t routinely offered their own assessment when the person they cared for was being assessed, meaning they could reach crisis point before receiving help.
“Partners involved in people’s care have raised concerns about inconsistent communication and unclear processes within the local authority.
“Some said updates about individuals’ care journeys, such as hospital admissions, varied depending on the staff member involved, making it harder to plan effectively and ensure people’s safety.
“Others reported uncertainty around key procedures, including when funding for care placements stops following a hospital admission. “Overall, partners felt that better alignment of safety actions and clearer communication are needed to support continuity of care and keep people safe.
“The authority was also delivering a strong, person-centred safeguarding service that puts people’s wishes, safety and wellbeing first.
“People who need additional support are helped by advocates, family members or friends, enabling them to understand their rights and make informed choices about their lives.
“Leaders were aware of these challenges and had plans in place to address them.
“We look forward to returning to see the progress they’ve made for people in Barnsley.”
