Cumbernauld quality of home care criticised by Government watchdog.

The News & Chronicle has learned that the Care Inspectorate made a non-routine inspection of the service following a complaint from a concerned individual – and did not like what it saw.

A report issued by the commission landed NLC with the lowest score possible for its quality of management and leadership – branding it unsatisfactory.

And the second lowest score of weak was handed out to the quality of care and support on offer.

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Although the commission has not revealed the specifics behind the complaint, news of the report has caused shockwaves at council headquarters – and has also led to claims of double standards.

One anonymous local business owner contacted us and said: “For a local authority with the availability of resources, management and staff at its disposal, I find this report unbelievable.

“If this was a private provider contracted to NLC we would have been stripped of our contract without delay.’’

North Lanarskhire Council say work is in hand to resolve the issue.

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Duncan MacKay, head of social work development said, “NLC sets and expects the same high standards for all home support service provision, whether this is delivered in-house or contracted from external partners.

“That’s why we’ve developed an action plan to resolve temporary challenges experienced by our home support service in Cumbernauld. We’ve increased management support, improved communications with teams and our front-line staff are involved in delivering these actions. Our home support service is a vital one delivered across all communities in North Lanarkshire and we strive to ensure it meets service users’ needs.

“From time to time services can experience issues in delivery and we’re confident the action we’re taking will ensure the service improves its grading,” he added.

Meanwhile a Care Inspectorate spokesperson confirmed: “NLC has been cooperating with the Care Inspectorate to improve the standards of care and management and we will continue to closely monitor the situation as part of our ongoing regulation of service.”