Learning Disabilities Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) Inspection Report
The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) has now reported back on its inspection during August of Somerset’s Adult Learning Disability Services.
Overall, the inspection team thought that Somerset was serving people well and has excellent prospects for further improvement.
This is the highest possible SSI rating and places Somerset as one of the top performing authorities nationally for LD Services.
Quotes from their report include:
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Overall services were of a very high standard
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Strong, effective partnerships with a wide range of agencies
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Most people were satisfied with the services received
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Inclusion is pursued and promoted … some of the results were exceptional
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Community Teams working well …. good cooperation between disciplines …. staff skilled and committed
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People with learning disabilities and their families actively engaged in all agendas
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Somerset Total Communication & Intensive Interactive …. enabling people to express their views and feelings
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High numbers of people living in their own homes with a good range of choices available
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Modernisation of day services … good progress and a positive impact on peoples lives
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The whole service led and managed by effective senior, middle and team managers.
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The user assessor, and his support worker, in the inspection team were very taken with what they saw and experienced. Their enthusiasm was best summed up with the ringing endorsement, “I’d move to Somerset!”
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An Action Plan will address the SSI recommendations:
Better recognise the needs of people from black and minority groups:
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Increase the number of carer assessments, ensure carers know how to complain and how to see their own case records
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Community learning disability teams to develop a single system for assessing people and recording information
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Increase Direct Payments
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Make better contact with ‘hard to reach’ groups and those who had little contact with Social Services
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Finish the Health Strategy document
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Improve computer information about cases
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The forthcoming Best Value Review should include: links with the rest of the County Council, how to ensure there are the same opportunities for people with a learning disability throughout Somerset and compare Council services against those provided by the independent sector.
To download a copy of the report, please click on one of the links below:
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