Excellent Rating for South Wight's Domiciliary Care Team
11 April 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. (Pictured left to right): 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. (12.3.08)
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 (pictured above) 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.
Click on the link for a copy of the Commission for Social Care Report.
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For more information please contact Karen Bermingham Communications Team on 020 7553 6479
communications@shgroup.org.uk
Notes for Editors
*Extra Care
Designed for older people who wish to retain their independence but who need help with everyday tasks including personal care.
Commission for Social Inspection
What do star ratings mean?
The star ratings tell:
how well the domiciliary care agency is serving adults who use social-care services.
what potential there is to improve.
Domiciliary care helps people in their community access the social services they need. The star rating gives an overall picture of how well the domiciliary-care agency does this.
The following ratings are granted:
three star - excellent
two star - good
one star - adequate
zero star - inadequate
Main features of Furze Brake
Minimum age: 60+ (55+ if registered with a disability)
Scheme Manager
26 self-contained flats over three floors
Lift
Community-alarm system
Communal facilities
Lounge
Kitchen
Laundry room
Attractive gardens
South Wight Housing Association Ltd owns and manages more than 3,000 properties on the Isle of Wight it is also a major developer of affordable housing on the island. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Housing Group.
South Wight Housing Association's properties include:
general housing for families;
sheltered schemes for the elderly;
homeless accommodation;
a women’s refuge;
supported housing for people recovering from substance abuse;
homes for people with learning difficulties;
accommodation for young people.
South Wight Housing Association is a Charitable Industrial and Provident Society No. 26341R.
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