Bracknell

Bracknell Adult social care services are good and have promising prospects for improvement according to inspectors.

The Bracknell Council's adult social care services were recently inspected by the Commission for Social Care Inspectors (CSCI) and a report released today (Thursday, November 29) rated services as two out of three stars.

All councils across the country are judged in the same areas of service and marked from 0 stars for poor performers to three stars for outstanding services. Bracknell Forest's two star score is an improvement from last year's one star rating and follows a steady modernisation programme of support and care services.

The official report says Bracknell adult social care is good and its capacity for improvement is promising.

Quality of life, making a positive contribution, freedom from discrimination or harassment, economic well-being, maintaining personal dignity and respect are all areas where the Council is providing good services. Health and emotional well-being and choice and control were rated as excellent by inspectors.

Key strengths outlined in the Bracknell report included:
- clear leadership;
- high quality and modernised services which are helping people to live at home;
- excellent support from Councillors and Senior Officers following the housing transfer ballot;
- strong financial management;
- a clear and developed understanding of local social care.

The report also noted the modernisation programme introduced by the Council, had already helped to significantly improve services and proposals under that plan would further modernise adult care services in the future.

The two star rating follows a series of successes for the Bracknell Social Services and Housing department over the past few months which has seen the dementia team scoop two national awards at the Skills for Care Accolades; Heathlands residential home rated as excellent by inspectors; and a pioneering agreement with national employment agency A4e signed to provide work opportunities for people with disabilities.

Ian Davey, Director of Bracknell Social Services and Housing, said: "We have been working tirelessly to improve adult care services for the people of Bracknell Forest over the past 10 months, in order to provide the care, support and advice they need and have told us they want.

"I'm extremely pleased the inspectors recognised our commitment to modernise and improve our services at the start of the year and that we have kept that promise. The two star rating is excellent news and we will continue to work on that to provide an even better service where necessary."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Bracknell Adult Services, Health and Housing, said: I'm delighted the inspectors have recognised the hard work of staff and the strong management of the department, which has really helped improve and modernise the services we offer. Our service users and their carers and families often tell us we are doing a great job for their relative or friend and it is especially nice when all that hard work is recognised by inspectors.

"The two star rating is great news but we are not complacent and we will continue to ensure improvements are made so the services we have are the best possible for the residents of Bracknell Forest.”

Bracknell Forest Borough Council