Local people who rely on care services to stay independent at home have reason to feel reassured, after St Helens Borough Council’s Reablement Service was rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following a recent inspection.
The Contact Cares Reablement Team supports people to regain their independence and remain in their own homes, helping to prevent hospital admissions and reduce the need for long-term care. Inspectors praised the quality of care and the positive experiences reported by people using the service, which supported 870 people across the borough last year alone.
It’s a service that many people may not think much about until they, or a family member, need it, whether that’s after an illness, an operation or a spell in hospital. The inspection, carried out in May this year, found consistently positive feedback from people and their families, who said they felt safe, well supported and treated with dignity. Staff were described as kind, patient and respectful, with a strong focus on promoting independence and responding to people’s changing needs. The report also highlighted a positive culture within the service, with staff confident in safeguarding practices and supported by visible and approachable leadership.
Cllr Eileen Fleming, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “A huge congratulations to the Reablement team on this ‘Good’ CQC rating across all domains – really well deserved.
“I’ve only just taken on this portfolio, but it’s clear from this result what a strong, dedicated team is already in place here at St Helens.
“Reablement plays such an important role in helping people regain independence after illness or injury, and it’s brilliant to see that reflected in this inspection. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Cllr Fleming added: “With growing demand, Adult Social Care accounts for a large proportion of the council’s overall budget, and it’s an area we take extremely seriously. Our focus is on supporting people to remain in their own homes where they feel most comfortable, helping them to stay independent for as long as possible.
“It is particularly pleasing to see this result build on our wider Adult Social Care ‘Good’ rating achieved in 2025, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality care for our communities and emphasising our role as a council working ‘with you, for you.'”
Jamaila Hussain, Executive Director of People’s Services at St Helens Borough Council, added: “This is a fantastic achievement for the team and a reflection of the difference they make to people’s lives every day. The feedback from residents and families shows just how important this service is in helping people regain confidence and independence.
“Reablement services play a vital role in supporting people following illness or injury, helping them to rebuild skills, maintain independence and remain in the comfort of their own homes. We remain committed to building on this success and continuing to provide high-quality, person-centred care for residents across St Helens borough.”
This latest rating follows on from the council’s wider Adult Social Care services also being rated ‘Good’ by the CQC in 2025, which you can read more about here.
To read the full CQC inspection report, visit the CQC website.