Excellent social care

9:38am Thursday 29th November 2007

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Hampshire's most vulnerable residents are among the best looked after in the country.

Ratings published today show that social care provided by local authority staff from Southampton and Hampshire is "excellent".

The performance ratings by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) placed both councils in the top six authorities in the south-east. It looked at social care services for the elderly, disabled and mentally ill.

Hampshire County Council increased its good two star rating to three-stars.

Inspectors found the council had been "highly successful" in putting in place a modernisation strategy to reduce a predicted £19m shortfall in its adult social care budget to £7.5m by the end of 2006/7.

It is undergoing a further £14.4m savings plan this year.

A CSCI report said the council continued to do well in improving its value for money and ensuring that its resources were used cost effectively.

Support offered to carers was "very good" with a specific focus on those from black and ethnic minority communities.

A 24/7 support and information line was also singled out for mention as part of a "pro-active approach".

The report also noted good joint working with health services to reduce the number of people delayed in hospital, supporting vulnerable younger adults and those with disabilities to remain at home and the percentage of people assessed within four weeks.

However the report said the council still had a high number of people with learning disabilities receiving care in NHS accommodation rather than in residential or supported accommodation.

And while the council was reducing the number of people with learning disabilities living in residential care it was still too high. It was also not as good as comparative councils at finding work for people with learning disabilities.

Leader of Hampshire County Council Councillor Ken Thornber said he was proud of the rating in the light of financial constraints.

"It is a testament to the hard work of all our adult services staff," he said.

Southampton retained its three star rating for the third year running. Inspectors found the council had improved waiting times to assess people, carried out more reviews and increased intermediate care services. However some people were still facing delays in being discharged from hospitals.

The council was praised for helping disabled and mentally ill people live independently at home and for carrying out necessary adaptations.

But it could improve its residential homes for older people with mental health problems, who were not given enough single rooms.

The Isle of Wight Council retained its good two star rating with a "promising" capacity to improve.

Click on the links below to download the reports
Hampshire Summary Report
Southampton Summary Report
Isle of Wight Summary Report