Adult Social Care services praised in new Care Quality Commission report

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England, has rated Hartlepool Borough Council's services as "good."

The CQC's new report said: "We found an organisation which had strong leaders who were committed to making improvements so that people across Hartlepool are supported to lead healthier lives and reduce the need for formal support where possible."

They added: "Staff at the authority were passionate about serving local people and had a good understanding of how to meet their needs."

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of the Council’s Adult and Community Based Services Committee (left), and Jill Harrison (right) celebrate the ‘Good’ rating with adult social care staff and people who use services.

Its report also noted how initiatives such as the handyperson service were making a real difference to older and disabled people, saying: "The scheme provided support such as carrying out small household repairs, hings which may seem small but could sometimes be the difference between someone being able to remain living at home or having to go into formal care."

The CQC wrote: "Hartlepool Borough Council should be pleased with the many positive findings in our report and are already building on this with further improvement plans."

Councillor Gary Allen, the chair of the council's adult and community-based services committee, said: "The assessors highlighted in their report the positive feedback they received from people about the services they received in Hartlepool - people told them they had good experience of assessments, from knowledgeable and caring staff.

"They also noted that outcomes for care and support focused on people's strengths, goals and wellbeing, and that unpaid carers were overwhelmingly positive about their experience of accessing support.

"The fact that we have received this praise from the CQC - and from the people and carers who use our services - is treatment to the hard work and commitment of all our staff in adult social care and I would like to send them my sincere thanks."