In-home care service outstanding, says CQC

The service provides home care for nine people

A Shropshire care service has been rated as outstanding after a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection.

Positive Steps Shropshire Limited, based in Shrewsbury, provides personal care to nine people in their own homes.

The CQC rated as outstanding for its care and for being a well-led the service, and it got a good rating for how safe, effective and responsive it is.

Inspectors found staff supported activities to reduce social isolation and support clients' confidence and happiness, as well as encouraging them to remain independent.

Staff were also skilled and motivated, and treated people with kindness and compassion, working closely with partners to ensure people received consistent care, the report said.

Incidents were reported and investigated to identify learning opportunities and improvements, they said.

'Staff efforts admired'

The regulator noted an occasion where staff worked closely with a person who had become disorientated, to understand why it had happened and reduce the risk of it happening again.

"People told us they were grateful for the support they received from Positive Steps Shropshire, and admired staff's efforts to provide them with safe care," said Andy Brand, the regulator's deputy director of operations in Shropshire.

"One person said they'd given up on their health after previous negative experiences, but thanks to Positive Steps Shropshire felt able to make positive changes and had improved.

"[Leaders] listened to people's concerns, remained open to suggestions, and acted promptly to resolve issues and keep people safe."

He added that leaders and staff should be proud of the report's positive findings.