Published: Friday, 6th November, 2009 1:10pm

Inspectors unveil social care report

INSPECTORS have said adult social care in Reading is a mixed bag.

The Care Quality Commission visited Reading for two weeks in July and on Monday published its report into two aspects of adult social care.

It said that both safeguarding vulnerable adults and offering choice and control for older people were 'adequate', the equivalent of two out of four on a one-to-four scale.

Council head of performance and strategy, Sarah Gee, said the inspection was conducted under a new, rigorous framework, but added: "It gave us really useful insights from care users."

At Monday night's council Cabinet meeting, Tory leader Andrew Cumpsty criticised the Labour administration for allowing nearly £1m of overspending in community care, but Cllr Mike Orton said it was impossible to predict how many people would need care and that he was not willing to cut services as has happened in Tory-run West Berkshire.

The inspectors had plenty of praise for council care services, but did add: "Some older people held the perception that individual preferences were not always respected by social workers."

Cllr Orton highlighted an action plan that was addressing the issues, adding: "There is no complacency."

Lib Dem community care and health spokesperson Cllr Peter Beard said the report showed there had been progress but added: "Local people have a right to expect better than 'adequate' services and we should not accept second best."

The report will feed into a wider assessment of social care in Reading next month.