Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Activity & Resource Centre (ARC) in Newton Stewart has been awarded excellent grades across all aspects of its work by the Care Inspectorate in a recent inspection.
The service, which provides personal development opportunities and support for adults with learning disabilities, has been awarded the highest grades a registered service can achieve in Scotland for its quality of care and support, environment, staffing, management and leadership.
The report states:
‘The service is excellent at facilitating ways for the service to be member led. This resulted in a great feeling of partnership between the members and the staff. The service has a passionate staff team who thrive on innovative challenges that arise from fresh ideas from anyone that has contact with the service…the service provided excellent individualised care and support which was led by the members where possible. During the inspection we found examples of excellent practice that were humbling to observe.’
Alan Baird, Scottish Government Chief Social Work Adviser, recently visited the service and, in particular, Cree Studio, its music and short film recording studio delivered in partnership with Turning Point Scotland. The project received a Special Commendation at the Scottish Social Services Council Care Accolades last year and Mr Baird commented on Twitter:
“Real sense of community spirit with tons of ambition, person centred care, continuous improvement….an excellent example of personalised services at the centre of the community”
The service also provides a range of community, work experience and certificated learning opportunities, including its Merrick Café based in the Merrick Leisure Centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This project holds a Healthy Living Award and 4-star rating from Visit Scotland.
Robert Bell, who uses the service, said of the report: “I think this will be very good for the Centre. The Merrick Café is also very good and I am enjoying it. Newton Stewart ARC should be a beacon for the community.”
One carer commented:
“The service provided by all the staff at Newton Stewart ARC is exceptional. They take the greatest of care to make sure that all of my daughter’s needs are met across all areas. Wonderful service and staff.”
Both The Care Inspectorate and the Chief Social Work Adviser were particularly interested in the personal outcomes for service users made possible through co-delivery of the service with key locality partners in health, leisure and sport, outdoor education, Third Sector Providers, the library service, Police Scotland, and private personal assistants.
Councillor Ted Thompson, vice chairman of the Social Work Services Committee, said, “To achieve excellent grades across the board is an exceptional achievement: I would like to thank and congratulate all ARC members, staff, carers and partner organisations who have contributed towards the excellent work being done through the Newton Stewart ARC service, which has been recognised by the Care Inspectorate in this outstanding inspection report.”
Photo link attached: Councillor Ted Thompson, vice chairman of the Social Work Services Committee, with service users and staff at Newton Stewart ARC
