Domiciliary carers employed by Carmarthenshire Council and the staff who manage them have been praised by Welsh Government inspectors.
The council's in-house domiciliary service has more than 350 carers who look after a third of residents in the county who need care at home - the remainder is provided by independent care companies commissioned by the authority. The in-house carers help people wash, dress, and take their medication among other things, allowing them to remain as independent as possible.
Inspectors from Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) said the council's carers were well-trained, enthusiastic, and knew the people they looked after well. Managers, said inspectors, were accessible and well-respected.
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CIW's report said the relative of one person being looked after told inspectors: "The carers have really helped mam and it is so reassuring for me." Other comments included that the carers were "fantastic" and "really special". Another person said: "I am much stronger since I’ve been having help."
People being looked after and their relatives told inspectors they would have no hesitation in reporting any concerns they might have to carers or office staff, and felt their concerns would be listened to and dealt with.
The report said tailored care was provided and risk assessments reviewed regularly, although documented evidence for the former by the client or their representative after each call-out was lacking.
CIW said the carers themselves were recruited after a "rigorous" process prior to training and induction. "Staff receive a range of mandatory and specific training to support them in their role," said the report. "In addition, training and support is provided for staff who are lone working, sometimes in isolated locations and possibly at night."
The inspection took place in March, with the report following two months later. It was flagged up by the council's director of social services, Jake Morgan, as part of his annual review of the department. The review was outlined by Mr Morgan at a meeting of full council this month.
His report to full council said of the CIW inspection: "To receive this during a global pandemic and despite significant workforce challenges is quite remarkable."
The care sector does, however, lack staf, and at the time the review was written this was leading to the overall number of commissioned care hours declining in Carmarthenshire.
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