County council gets best rating for adult social care

By cbirkle chris birkle

ADULT social care across Nottinghamshire has been given the highest possible rating by Government inspectors.

A report by the Care Quality Commission out today says the county council's services in this area are "excellent".

The report points to initiatives such as the Smile, No Bullying campaign, which helps people with learning disabilities deal with hate crime. Other areas which have been praised include:

The help given to disabled people to enable them to live at home.

Help for more people with disabilities into work.

Early-intervention services to help over-50s stay independent for longer.

The reduction of delays for people being discharged from hospital into social care.

Help for an extra 600 carers to receive support.

Richard Walker, 47, from West Bridgford, attends monthly Smile No Bullying sessions in Mapperley to help him deal verbal abuse.

He volunteers to sweep the Brian Clough statue and gets called names on an almost daily basis, which makes him feel "angry and hurt".

He says the help he has received during the past 18 months from the project, which is run by Nottingham Mencap, has helped him cope with the bullies.

He said: "A lot of people don't understand us. Schoolchildren can laugh and throw things.

"At our meetings we've done role plays about how we react to different situations.

"I go to the meetings once a month. Kirsty (the co-ordinator) has been wonderful.

"When I feel a bit low, I can always talk to her. And other people in the group are in the same situation."

Coun Mel Shepherd, cabinet member for Adult Services and Health, said: "It's marvellous that our services have been recognised in this way.

"Social care staff have come in for some criticism in the national media in the past year.

"So we're glad that our staff and services are now getting the praise they deserve for a first class job."

David Pearson, corporate director for Adult Social Care and Health, said: "This is great news for people in Nottinghamshire, who can be reassured that they are receiving good-quality social care services.

"It is a fantastic achievement and a recognition of excellent and committed staff who carry out difficult jobs with care, passion and commitment. We are determined to continue our improvements in the future."