Borough's adult social care 'performing well'

Adult social care services in the Royal Borough are 'performing well' overall for the second year running, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) - the national independent regulator of all health and social care in England.

The CQC 2009/10 report, published today (Thursday 25 November), gives the borough an 'excellent' rating for improving health and well being and 'achieving well' on five other outcomes - improved quality of life, making a positive contribution, increasing choice and control, freedom from discrimination and harassment, achieving economic well-being and delivering outcomes. The rating remains at 'adequate' for maintaining personal dignity and respect following a CQC inspection on safeguarding in July 2009.

The report says the borough has 'performed well overall in providing a range of care services to meet the needs of people who live in Windsor and Maidenhead to improve their quality of life and how they choose to live'.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for adult and community services, said: "This is good news for residents who depend on social care to support them and improve their quality of life. We are making good progress but there is still much to do and I know that Royal Borough staff are committed to maintaining steady progress to ensure we have high quality services to promote independence and choice.

"Even in these difficult economic times the Royal Borough remains dedicated to protecting the vulnerable members of our community. The CQC report is a clear endorsement of our success in meeting that objective."

Christabel Shawcross, strategic director of adult and community services, said: "We knew our inspection action plan from 2009/10 was likely to take longer to implement and be embedded in what we do. We are confident this is happening.

"The report recognises that safeguarding has been identified as a priority by the council with the aim of preventing actual or potential abuse. The CQC noted the overall number of safeguarding referrals has increased by 56% locally but not as much as elsewhere. We have improved our data collection and reporting and training as part of the action plan."

An action plan following this report will be reported to cabinet in February 2011.

This is the last annual performance assessment report by the CQC which will no longer be monitoring performance in this way. The Department of Health is consulting on the performance framework to be used in the future.

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