START provides intensive care and support to maximise independence, allowing those assessed as having health or social care needs to continue to live in their own homes. The service is delivered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and NHS Western Isles.

Using their six-point scale the care inspectorate gave the following assessment of the START service:

• How well do we support people's wellbeing? 5 - Very Good
• How good is our staff team? 5 - Very Good
• How well is our care and support planned? 5 - Very Good

The inspectors highlighted the following key messages following the inspection:

• The service provided was person centred to meet people's needs.
• People supported and relatives valued the service received.
• The staff team were trained, compassionate and caring.
• The service was very good at supporting people to regain their independence.
• The multi-disciplinary approach supported good outcomes for people.

Emma Macsween, Chief Officer Partnership Services and Community Care said:

“The START service is an exemplar of an integrated service. START combines the clinical leadership of allied health professions, in this instance occupational therapy and physiotherapy, with the professional delivery of social care services to support individuals to restore or achieve their full potential."

“This model of care is central to our future plans to expand career pathways into undergraduate allied health professions, combining working within a social care service with distance learning study. Being able to add to the choices available to people wishing to live and work in the Western Isles is not just a benefit to them and their families but also our health and social care system. We will continue to pursue this matter at a national level to be able to secure the necessary commitment to make these opportunities a reality.”