River Clyde Homes’ Sheltered Housing Service has received its most positive report following a recent unannounced visit from the Care Inspectorate.

The Inverclyde-based housing association manages eight sheltered housing complexes, totalling 254 homes: providing accommodation for service users who are frail and/or mobility impaired.

The Care Inspectorate gave the service the following grades:

Despite the staffing theme not being formally assessed, aspects of excellent practice were confirmed in relation to the quality of our staff team.

The report states: “The tenants we spoke to expressed high levels of satisfaction with the service and told us about the positive benefits they had experienced since coming to live in one of the River Clyde Homes’ sheltered housing complexes.”

They added: “Tenants told us that staff would often ‘go the extra mile’ for them and it was pleasing to see that the manager actively promoted this.”

In conclusion, the Care Inspectorate said: “Tenants told us they trusted staff and could rely on them, consistently describing them as ‘excellent’, ‘caring’ and ‘dependable’. We observed staff interacting with tenants using genuine warmth, respect and good humour.”

Jillian Moffat, vice-chair of the River Clyde Homes Board, welcomed the report, saying: “This is a well-deserved report for our much valued sheltered housing service. The grades show an improvement on the previous inspection of 2015 and underline the focus, energy and drive of our staff to meet the support needs of residents and build meaningful relationships. This is just one example of how River Clyde Homes is improving services to meet our customers’ expectations.”

Stevie McLachlan, head of customer services (West) at River Clyde Homes, said: “We’re all delighted with the outcome of this recent inspection. It confirms that we are sector leading and that there are very high levels of satisfaction with the team involved in all aspects of the complexes. My thanks go to all the staff, to the residents and their family members who gave of their time to participate in the inspection.”

The report reflects the thoughts of residents who value the services they provide.

Jimmy Grant, a resident of John Galt House in Greenock, said: “I have lived at JGH for almost 10 years now and feel safe, secure, valued & respected. The service received from the wardens & cleaners is exceptional. I am encouraged to be involved in many aspects of sheltered housing and was recently asked by management to be involved with recruitment of new staff under “safer recruitment & selection” and felt privileged to be asked.

“I am supported to make informed choices that suit me and wardens & management are always going the extra mile to ensure I lead a quality life with lots of social inclusion. I liaise with the wardens & cleaners on a daily basis and my son will often communicate with management via email on my behalf, he always receives positive feedback in a timely manner. I honestly could not choose a better place to live!”

Kathy McDade, who lives at Stewart House in Greenock, said: “If I had won the lottery I could not find a more suitable home to live in. Since moving into Stewart House, I have regained my independence and feel supported. The people who live here and staff working for River Clyde Homes have helped to make mine a ‘loved home’. I was initially wary of moving to sheltered housing as my perception was that it was only for old people that needed looking after. However, I now realise that sheltered housing is all about supporting people to maintain their independence and improve their quality of life and is a wonderful place to live.”

The full report can be read on the Inspectorate’s website.