The CQC inspected the borough’s START (Short Term Assessment and Reablement Team) last month and rated the service Good in all five core areas – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

The START team provides short-term care and therapy to assist people to maximise their independence in their own homes by supporting them to manage their personal care and other daily tasks including preparing meals, advice on food and hydration, and referrals to other services as needed.

In its report the CQC described START as a “well organised and efficiently run service” and that this “was particularly important given the complexity and short-term nature of this service, together with the level of demand for such a service in the community of Sutton”.

The report added:

“All of the people, relatives, staff and healthcare professionals we spoke with as part of the inspection commented that the service was well-led. They felt that the managers took time to listen and would take action to make improvements when needed. People felt that management were approachable and had a visible presence in the operation of the service.

“We found that the registered manager conducted a range of checks to assess the standard of care. This included ‘spot checks’ and satisfaction surveys where people rated the service positively.”

“People’s needs were regularly assessed and they were involved in the assessment of their needs. Care plans were personalised and updated regularly as and when people’s needs changed. People’s views were always taken into account and they consented to their care.”

Cllr Colin Stears, Chair of Adult Social Services and Health Committee at Sutton Council, said:

“The START service is doing tremendous work with Sutton residents and we are delighted that the CQC recognises the professionalism of the staff and their caring and respectful approach when working at home with residents and with their families. The entire team do fantastic work here and deserve recognition for their high standard of care. All the relatives the CQC spoke with were told that their family members felt safe, that staff arrived on time and that they stayed the amount of time necessary to provide their care. One relative told the CQC: “The service to my Dad has stopped now, but they were brilliant”, while a resident said: “(The staff) are excellent, they really are so committed. They make me feel very safe and well cared for.”

The CQC report said:

“All of the people we spoke with… strongly agreed that the service was safe. They said they felt safe with the personal care provided, that staff had not missed any calls to their home and that they were not rushed with care provided by staff. People did not have any complaints about the service but knew how to complain if they had any concerns.”