Reading Council Celebrates ‘Good’ Rating for Community Reablement Team from Inspectors

READING Council’s Community Reablement Team has been rated ‘Good’ by the Quality Care Commission (CQC).

The Community Reablement Team (CRT) provides a short-term flexible service for people who could benefit from a reablement programme in their own home. Reablement encourages people, often those who are disabled or frail, or recovering from injury or illness, to develop the confidence and skills required to allow them to continue living at home. The service was supporting 98 people at the time of inspection, although this number changes on a regular basis. The inspection, which took place on 10 January 2020, felt that the service – delivered in partnership with the Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust – was delivering safe, responsive, effective and caring support. The inspectors spoke with 11 people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. In support of the findings, one service user commented that “The staff are cheery, friendly and caring. Some are outstandingly kind,” while another said that “I've done a bit more myself each time. They have let me have a practice shower on my own and so I’m now feeling confident.” Inspectors found that the CRT was effectively managed with the care needs of users met by well-trained staff. One member of staff said: “It's nice working here,” and “I know exactly who to go to with any issues; (the management team) is fully supportive,” while the registered manager said: “My staff don't tend to leave, which I think speaks volumes.”

Reading’s Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, Tony Jones, said of the inspection report:

“I am proud that the Council’s Community Reablement Team have upheld their ‘good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission. This team makes a huge difference in helping people maximise their ability to live independently and stay out of hospital. This rating is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team – congratulations to them for receiving recognition for the difference they make week in week out to so many resident’s lives.” A copy of the full CQC report is available here: www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-164474129

ENDS

Notes for Editors

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are regulators of health and adult social care in England. For further information including inspection reports, visit the CQC website www.cqc.org.uk

Case Study - Community Reablement

Sam’s Story

Sam - Community Reablement Team “My job is all about having conversations – we work with people to encourage them and put the control back in their hands.” Sam has worked in adult social care for over 15 years – and has specialised as an assessor in the Council’s Community Reablement team for the last 3 years. One of the things she loves about her job is that it isn’t desk based – it gets her out and about in the community, visiting people in their own homes. The Community Reablement team work with people to regain as much independence as possible, over a time limited period, on average for 3 weeks. They also provide a rapid response service, which is nurse led, to support people who become unwell in the community and require support to avoid hospital admission. People may get referred to the team via social workers or healthcare professionals. The team also works with hospitals and organisations such as Sue Ryder and the Parkinson’s Association. The team is made up of community assessors, care assistants as well as physios and occupational therapists. The assessment team work over 14 days with the person in their own home – which can lead to up to 6 weeks of intensive support. Sam says “It is extremely satisfying when you help improve someone’s quality of life.” For example, she recently worked with an elderly lady who came home after a stay in a nursing home. Sam could see the lady had the potential to regain some independence although progress took time. The lady began by needing 4 calls a day and after 9 weeks of support she is down to one morning call. “Her confidence is greatly improved – from being completely reliant on others to now being able to get round with her walking frame and make herself a cup of tea is such an achievement.” In January 2019 Sam worked with David. He’d been admitted to hospital for a few weeks following a chest infection after a bout of flu. David has vascular dementia and also suffers from COPD and Chronic Kidney Disease. His wife Mary was his main carer. The hospital had concerns over the level of David’s personal care and referred him to Sam’s team for assessment. David had refused to cooperate with hospital staff for his personal care and it transpired he was also reluctant to allow his wife to help him either. This had made life increasingly difficult for both of them. Sam’s team worked closely with David and his family, and he engaged well with them. The key to their success, says Sam, was their encouragement approach “We put the control back into David’s hands. We’d encourage him to get back into a routine of washing and grooming and he responded really well to this.” This was a big help for David’s wife, as she had time to herself and it made a significant difference to their relationship. David now has a regular care package routine which sets him up for the day. Mary told Sam “It’s wonderful – I have my husband and friend back again.”