Some notable achievements in a challenging year for CrossReach

The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly will hear how the council responsible for providing care services has dealt with not so much a wind of change but a force-nine gale in the 12-months since last year’s gathering on the Mound.

The appointment of Reverend Syd Graham as the new Convener and Peter Bailey as the Chief Executive Officer were just two of these changes.

In its report to General Assembly commissioners the Social Care Council, known as CrossReach, acknowledges that the challenge to prioritise the frontline sustainable services has had to take place at a fast rate.

The past year had its share of challenges and opportunities. Like other social care providers the challenges that faced CrossReach have been financially driven as a result of the economic crisis. CrossReach was hit by rising costs and reduced financial support from funders. As a result opportunities were taken to implement a major restructuring in order to secure the long term future and create an organisation fit for purpose to meet the challenges of the social care environment.

A change of the council’s governance resulting in reducing seven governance groups to three with more involvement of its members is also recognised.

The report acknowledges that CrossReach has had some notable achievements which underline its commitment to provide high quality services:

    * 94 per cent of services graded good or higher for Quality of Care and Support in Care Commission inspections
    * Over 67 per cent of staff qualified.
    * 171 staff gained qualifications in 2009.
    * Two finalists for the Scottish Care Awards.
    * Great British Care Homes Award – Adams House – finalist.
    * COSLA Excellence Award – Bronze Award to Oasis Centre, Garelochead.

CrossReach’s ongoing commitment to providing quality care services was further evidenced by the opening of Rubislaw Park, a purpose built 64 place home in Aberdeen following a major capital investment of over £6 million.

Peter Bailey, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have tackled some very difficult and painful issues over the past year but our emphasis now is on shaping our strategic direction to ensure that the Church of Scotland continues to play a major part in the provision of social care services throughout Scotland”.