‘I cannot imagine how I would manage without them’ – high praise for Shetland Care Attendant Scheme after inspection
SHETLAND Care Attendant Scheme (SCAS) has been highly praised by inspectors and its service users following a surprise visit last month.
One person said they could not “imagine how I would manage without” the charity, which provides carers with regular breaks to allow them to have time to themselves.
SCAS, which operates out of Lerwick’s Market House, allows carers to continue in their role by keeping their loved one at home and offering them respite.
Care Inspectorate Scotland said it also “prevents crisis situations arising” in the community.
A total of 38 people were being supported by SCAS when inspectors made an unannounced visit to the service on 10 September this year.
This was a core assurance inspection, which aimed to ensure that SCAS was continuing to deliver the care and support to meet people’s needs.
The Care Inspectorate said this was not a validation of previous evaluations, and no new grades had been awarded.
During its visit to Shetland, inspectors spoke with three people using the service, four family members and four staff members.
They found that people using SCAS were “safe and protected from harm” and could have “confidence in the organisation delivering their care and support”.
“We could see that people’s health and wellbeing benefitted from the support they received,” inspectors said of SCAS.
“Spending time with people and their support we could see the warm and positive relationships that they had.
“One person shared: ‘The carers are friendly, supportive and understanding of and accommodate my needs. They help me with small tasks in my home’.
“A family member told us: ‘I could not wish for better support or imagine how I would manage without them; it means my loved one can remain at home’.”
Staff also supported people to remain connected to their local and wider communities, inspectors said.
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They did this by “providing regular opportunities to participate in meaningful activities, groups, and outings”.
At SCAS there was also “clear, visible and effective leadership”, Care Inspectorate Scotland found.
“Throughout the visit we could see people’s voices were promoted encouraging them to pick activities that they would like to do throughout the day.”
Feedback from staff was also positive, inspectors added, with one member saying that SCAS “do an awful lot very well”.
Communication was “excellent”, they said, with someone “always on the end of the phone and available anytime”.
Another staff member said that SCAS was “built on care of the individual and the recognition of their needs”.
Shetland Care Attendant Scheme care co-ordinator Louise Irvine said they were “delighted” with the positive report.
“It’s encouraging to see the positive relationships between staff and the people we support and the difference it makes to them to keep them connected within their communities and to stay living at home for as long as possible,” she said.
“We’re very fortunate and extremely grateful to have such a dedicated team at Shetland Care Attendant Scheme.”
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