Town’s excellent record for adult care services
12:11pm Thursday 25th November 2010 in News
VULNERABLE adults in Bolton get some of the best social care available in the country, a new report says.
The annual report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) shows that Bolton is performing excellently in six of seven areas it looks at, and is performing well in the other, when it comes to commissioning and providing adult social care services.
Cllr Elaine Sherrington, executive member for adult and community services, said: “It is fantastic to see that once again we have been recognised as leading the way in adult social care, and it is a credit to all the staff and partners who work so hard to make sure the town’s vulnerable people get the best possible support.”
Despite the council being forced to make swingeing cuts across the whole authority, town hall chiefs remain confident that they can hold onto their top-level status next year.
Cllr Sherrington added: “Although we recognise the significant challenges we face as a result of reduced budgets, we have a history of managing money well, and I am confident that Bolton will strive to continue to provide the high standard of care that its residents deserve.”
The council was judged excellent at improving health and well-being, improving quality of life, making a positive contribution, increased choice and control, freedom from discrimination and harassment and maintaining personal dignity and respect.
Local authorities are marked on a four-point scale, from poorly performing to performing excellently, and Bolton’s results reveal the council are performing excellently overall.
In addition to the seven outcomes, the CQC also assessed the leadership, commissioning and use of resources of each council.
According to the CQC, Bolton has “continued to demonstrate effective leadership and commitment to transforming social care services”.
The authority’s relationships with partners such as the NHS were also praised.
In assessing Bolton’s influence on the emotional health and wellbeing of its residents, the CQC said that “people who have longterm needs and their carers are supported to live as independently as they choose”.
Meanwhile, in terms of providing the best possible quality of life, the CQC described the council’s support as “given at an early stage and helps people to stay independent”. The report found that “people feel safe when they are supported at home, in care homes, and in the neighbourhood”.
