Barnsley Council 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service

• The service had enough staff to care for children and young people and keep them safe. Service users were at the centre of safeguarding and staff had a proactive approach to anticipating and managing risk. Staff had training in key skills, and, understood how to protect children, young people and their families from abuse and neglect. The service controlled infection risks well. The provider had a sustained track record of safety supported by accurate performance information. All staff were encouraged to participate in learning from internal and external incidents to improve safety.
• Staff provided good care and treatment to families, children and young people. Outcomes were consistently better when compared with other similar services, and there was a truly holistic approach to assessing, planning and delivering care. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff competence was recognised as being integral to ensuring high quality care. Staff teams worked collaboratively and found innovative ways to deliver seamless care. Staff were consistent in supporting people to live healthier lives. They had a proactive approach to health promotion and the prevention of ill health. Staff made sure people had access to high quality health information and advice.
• Staff treated children, young people and their families with compassion and kindness. Feedback from service users was consistently positive and people thought the support they received exceeded their expectations. Staff were highly motivated to offer care that promoted peoples’ rights and upheld their dignity. Staff recognised that the social and emotional needs of families, children and young people were just as important as their physical needs.
• The service planned care thoroughly to meet the needs of local people. There were innovative approaches to providing person-centred, integrated care, particularly for people with multiple and complex needs. People could access services flexibly and there was a proactive approach to understanding the needs and preferences of different groups of people. Technology was used innovatively to ensure people had access to timely treatment and care.
• Leaders at all levels of the service were compassionate, inclusive and effective. They demonstrated the high levels of experience and capability required to deliver excellent and sustainable care. Strategies and plans were fully aligned with plans in the wider health economy and leaders demonstrated commitment to system-wide collaboration. Staff felt inspired and motivated in their role. There were high levels of satisfaction across all staff teams and they felt truly valued and supported. Staff had a demonstrated commitment to best practice performance. Any problems were addressed quickly and openly.

However:

• The governance arrangements did not take into account the potential risks of prescriptions being diverted.
• The service could not demonstrate that service users were involved in the design and delivery of their services and not all service users had been provided with information about how to complain.