Highest praise for Perth and Kinross homeless service

Perth and Kinross Council’s homeless service has been praised by inspectors.

The department offers support and advice to people living on the streets, or in danger of becoming homeless.

It has been graded “excellent”, the highest possible grading, following an audit by the Care Inspectorate.

The unannounced assessment was carried out in January and focused on care, support, staffing and leadership.

Case files, supervision notes and training records were reviewed and inspectors said the service was “forward thinking” with a “real commitment to improvement”.

The inspectorate ruled that staff were well qualified and “extremely knowledgeable and professional”, as well as being approachable, caring and friendly.

The Homeless Housing Support Service recorded an excellent grading the last time it was inspected in 2016.

The housing and communities convener, Lib Dem councillor Peter Barrett, said: “The inspectors have told us that we are a ‘sector leading’ local authority in the services we provide for homeless people and people who are at threat of becoming homeless.

“The findings of the inspection report are fantastic for the service, its staff and our service users. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all members of staff for their continued hard work, commitment and dedication to make the service as good as it can be.

“Without the support and input of our staff, and the input of our service users, it would be extremely difficult for us to continue to receive such high marks and excellent feedback.”