Brilliant ratings for Highlands North Services

Colleagues and people supported at Community Integrated Care’s Highlands North Supported Living Services are proud to have been rated ‘Very Good’ in their recent Care Inspectorate visit.

The team of over 40 dedicated colleagues provide support to adults with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and physical disabilities, to live independent and fulfilling lives in their own homes in the Caithness community.

In their recent inspection report, Care Inspectorate regulators awarded the team a ‘Very Good’ rating across the board, including for ‘How well the service supports people’s wellbeing’, ‘How good is the leadership’ and ‘How good has the care and support been during the Covid-19 pandemic.’

The Care Inspectorate reported how families spoke of being ‘highly satisfied’ when asked about the support being delivered. With comments in the report commending the team for going the “extra mile” to ensure the people they support were happy and leading a fulfilled life, stating that “their loved ones have thrived and their lives improved greatly since being supported by the service.”

Praise was given to the way in which the team had built trusting and caring relationships; had an enabling approach that focused on supporting people to reach their full potential; and advocated for people’s rights, choices, and individual identity.

Credit was given in particular to the charity’s leadership team, with colleagues and families feeling well supported by the Service Manager, Sarah Sinclair.

The inspectors also evaluated how the team supported people during the Covid-19 pandemic – many people were able to keep in touch with loved ones and were involved in fulfilling hobbies, for example online cookery courses and group activities, which helped them maintain friendships and learn new skills – all whilst remaining safe and supported in their homes.

Amongst the feedback included within the report, was a comment from the local learning disability nurse, who said “[Highlands North] are really good at supporting people holistically, they are proactive at identifying changes in people’s health and seeking advice and following guidance given.”

Sarah Sinclair, Regional Manager for Highlands, said, “Everyone at Highlands North is absolutely delighted with the inspection report. It has boosted team morale, and the people we support, and their families, are really proud too.”

She continued, “We’ve worked so hard over the past two years to keep the people we support safe and well, and despite the turbulence we’ve faced, we’ve achieved so many positive outcomes. To have been recognised by the Care Inspectorate and rated ‘Very Good’ overall means so much to us all.”

Allison Cochrane, Managing Director for Scotland, said, “I’m incredibly proud of each and every colleague in our Highlands North Services after receiving top marks from the Care Inspectorate earlier this month. This report reflects all of the team’s hard work to ensure that the highest standards of care are delivered every day for the people we support across Caithness.

She continued, “They have gone above and beyond over the past twelve months to enable the people we support to live the best lives possible, from planning holidays to exploring new community activities, employment and education opportunities. To achieve a ‘Very Good’ rating from the Care Inspectorate is a huge testament to their efforts.”