Adult care services 'inadequate', council told

The report highlights the dedication of staff (picture posed by models) at East Riding of Yorkshire Council

A council has admitted it must do better after a watchdog criticised "inadequate" adult social care services.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave East Riding of Yorkshire Council the lowest rating in a newly published report, which follows an inspection in June.

It found there were long waits for assessments, reviews and equipment, including sensory support, as well as challenges trying to find care homes to meet the individual needs of people.

The council said it "recognised" too many residents were waiting "far too long to receive the care they need" and was working hard to address the issues raised.

Inspectors gave the authority the lowest rating of one out of four – meaning the "the evidence showed significant shortfalls" – for eight of the nine areas of the service, including assessing people's needs and supporting people to lead healthier lives.

Chris Badger, the chief inspector of adult social care at the CQC, said "significant leadership changes" over the past few years "had impacted on people's access to good adult social care".

"While we saw some dedicated staff delivering person-centred care, too many people were facing unacceptable delays getting the support they needed, which was having a negative effect on their health."

The issues included high demand and long waits for certain major adaptations to properties.

People waited an average of 85 days for equipment such as recycled stairlifts, ceiling hoists or ramps, with some delays lasting as long as 280 days.

'Necessary changes'

Other adults waited up to two years for white cane training and 45 weeks for grab rails to be installed, Mr Badger said.

Limited availability for reablement services meant that "people didn't always have the opportunity to regain their independence after being in hospital, which resulted in them needing more long-term care than what was necessary".

However, the CQC said the carers' support service was highly regarded by the people who used it.

"We heard that staff were compassionate and a consistent point of contact and support for carers when they needed it," Mr Badger said.

Responding to the report, Alan Menzies, the interim chief executive at the council, said the findings were being taken "extremely seriously".

"People in the East Riding deserve timely, high-quality care and support, and we have already started making the necessary changes to ensure this happens," he said.

"While the dedication of our staff is evident and highlighted in this report, we acknowledge as a council we must do better."

The authority was already taking steps to reduce waiting times, strengthen leadership and improve "how we work with individuals to ensure that our care services meet their needs", he added.

Meanwhile, Kay Durrant, the independent chairwoman of the East Riding Safeguarding Adults Board, said she was confident the council's leadership team was committed to addressing the concerns raised.

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