Higher than average quality provision: Most recent data published by the CQC (April 2018) revealed 88% of active regulated settings in Somerset are good or better, comparing positively to regional (84.5%), peer group (80%) and national (84%) averages. Somerset remains in the top 20% of Local Authority areas in relation to the proportion of good or outstanding provision.
A two year partnership between Somerset County Council and Community Catalysts CIC which aims to support the development of small, community-based care and support services that:
Sharon has a lot of experience working in traditional care services. She took a career break to care for her mother-in-law and was profoundly affected by the experience of delivering person-centred care. Spurred on by this, and with support from Community Catalysts, Sharon decided to set up Care4U in December 2015. Care4U provides highly personalised, flexible and consistent support to older people in and around the Puriton area. “I can organise my time so that people can get what they want at a time that suits them; it gives me the freedom to work around them and their family”.
The county supports local care providers in a variety of ways:
Care workers who are proud of what they do can become ambassadors for their profession and receive additional training and support (quarterly forums) prior to delivering talks and activities to promote the care sector as a positive career choice to students and job-seekers
Providers attend for practice updates and shared learning opportunities on topics they have requested support with or interest in. To date, events have included collaboration with the Care Quality Commission on how to achieve Outstanding provision and have promoted a ‘quality matters’ ambition. Feedback has been positive, with comments from attendees including “a very well organised and delivered event. It was well worth my time and I learnt a great deal”.
Regular updates are shared with local providers, featuring practice updates, upcoming training opportunities and good news stories, celebrating the practice of care workers
© 2021 Proud to Care Somerset.