'Compassion, dignity and respect' – inspectors hail Highland housing service

A combined housing support and care at home service has been hailed as helping people get the most out of life.

Gateway housing support service, provided by Highland Homeless Trust, was graded as very good by the Care Inspectorate for its leadership and supporting people's wellbeing.

Following the unannounced visit, inspectors stated: "People experienced compassion, dignity and respect.

"Where people accepted the support provided by the service they made progress. People received support to improve their health outcomes. People were being supported to get the most out of life.

"Staff and management worked well with their health and social care partners to help people access the right support."

The service, which is based in Inverness, offers support within a variety of accommodation in the Highland capital and Invergordon. It includes support to young people transitioning from children's services, and unaccompanied asylum seeking children or young people.

"The people we spoke with felt respected and listened to," inspectors said. "Everybody we spoke with told us that staff were supportive, approachable and were responsive to any requests they made for assistance. People felt that staff treated them well, and engaged with them in a professional, friendly manner."

Inspectors added: "Staff engaged with people in a way that encouraged independence and individual responsibility. Individualised support was focused on supporting people towards better outcomes (ie housing) but also in terms of developing independent living skills, budgeting, and supporting activities and interests which promote skill development.

"This meant that the care and support being offered considered people's holistic needs rather than just their need for accommodation. The opportunity to take part in activities, both indoors and within the community meant that people were being encouraged to live an active life."

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