Archived: STAR (Short Term Assessment and Reablement)

Stoney Lane Management Centre, Summer Street, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4JA (0121) 500 4862

Provided and run by:
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

All Inspections

28 November 2011

During a routine inspection

This domiciliary care location is owned and managed by Sandwell Council.

Care provided is for short term assessment and reablement. Referrals for people to receive care from this location are made from numerous sources but can include social work teams and hospitals.

The average length of time that care is provided is six weeks after which people are discharged to live independently or referred for further assessment to determine how their longer term needs can be met.

We spoke with people over the phone as part of this review. They were all very complimentary about the care that they receive and the care staff who provide their care. Below are a few of the comments people made;

'Without this service I would not be able to live at home at the moment. I am very grateful for the care that is given to me'.

'The carers are very good, very nice'.

'I don't know what I would do without them'.

'They are very good. I have not got any complaints at all'.

We looked at recent compliment document information which included this quote;

'Thank you for the help and consideration you gave to them in their last weeks of life. Your help allowed them to spend their last few weeks in their own home which was their greatest wish'.

We met and spoke with staff who had some involvement with the people whose care we looked at. Staff we spoke with were very positive about the work they do. It was clear that they were all committed to providing a good level of service to people.

One staff member told us;' I really enjoy my job. I enjoy seeing people get back on their feet. Rehabilitation is good as it helps people get back to independent living'.

Overall we found that people were satisfied with the care that they were receiving and the staff who provided their care. However, better assessment of need and care planning processes that show that people are involved in care planning decisions would give more assurance that personalised care is being delivered and that peoples choices are being taken into consideration.