Excellent Rating for South Wight's Domiciliary Care Team

Thursday 1st May 2008

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) announced today that the Isle of Wight's South Wight Housing Association's Domiciliary Care Service provides 'excellent' care of its residents and local people and in recognition has awarded it the highest rating; a three-star standard following a recent inspection and audit.

South Wight Housing Association's Domiciliary Care Team at Furze Brake Sheltered Accommodation in Newport, Isle of Wight.Dawn Thistlewood, one of Furze Brake's carers; Val Cobb, one of South Wight's outreach carers; Judy Sheath, Furze Brake's Manager, Tina Stuart, South Wight's Domiciliary Care Manager with Sylvia Jones one of Furze Brake's residents.

South Wight Housing Association Domiciliary Care unit comprises two teams of trained carers that help local residents. One team works in the community visiting residents on a rota basis providing day-to-day caring services. The remaining team work at South Wight's unique, *Extra Care Housing Scheme, at South Wight Housing Association's Furze Brake sheltered accommodation in Newport.

Tina Stuart, South Wight Housing Association's Domiciliary Care Registered Manager, who has overall responsibility for the Domiciliary Care Team said: "this recognition by the CSCI (Statutory Body) of my care teams is a real boost to their morale. We are delighted to have been awarded the three-star rating. It is particularly important to the community because South Wight Housing Association is the only Registered Social Landlord on the Isle of Wight that offers the Extra Care facilities and service. Our clients tell us what a good job we are doing and now we have Government recognition in the form of this three-star award."

Tina's community team visit approximately 35 people living in their own homes on the Island. While Judy Sheath, who is the Manager at Furze Brake, is responsible for the delivery of the care for 12 residents who live at the scheme. Both managers ensure that residents are given the highest standard of care including:
* a personal care assessment;
* day-to-day personal care;
* a twice-weekly day club providing a community network.

Sylvia Jones said, "I could not get better carers and I defy anyone to tell me otherwise. I am really lucky and I am very happy with the care and support I receive."

Recently South Wight Housing Association carried out a survey of its customers and the feedback was reassuringly positive with 95% of the respondents stating that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the services they received.

Margaret Wright, South Wight Housing Association's Executive Director says: "The staff team of South Wight Housing Association pride ourselves on doing a good job for our residents and the community and this report derived from an inspection confirms the efforts they make to ensure customers receive an excellent service."

Significant effort is required to meet the CSCI's stringent criteria and standards including:
* ensuring that Carers are trained and they have achieved an NVQ Level 2 qualification;
* production of care plans and regular reporting and evaluation (which is evidenced by the recent inspection);
* enlisting on the register of Housing Associations that offer an Extra Care unit.

Posted by Kim for South Wight Housing Association