Moray Women’s Aid gets glowing report from Care Inspectorate

A glowing report has been given to an organisation which provides support in Moray for women and their children who have experienced domestic abuse.

The work of Moray Women's Aid has been praised by the Care Inspectorate in an official report published this week. This follows an unannounced inspection which began on April 2 and continued over the course of the following two days.

The Care Inspectorate’s report divided the work provided by the service into four different categories.

Three of these it judged to be ‘good’, while the fourth was classed as ‘very good’.

Moray Women’s Aid operates a refuge in Elgin as well as three other dwellings in Elgin, providing self-contained accommodation for women and their children.

The report said: “Managers planned deployment and allocation of staff effectively to meet the needs of women in the refuge and dispersed accommodation as well as those receiving an outreach service.

“Women felt they could approach any staff member and not have to wait until their key worker was available. This provided a level of predictability and reassurance which can reduce stress and anxiety.

“Staff kept in regular touch with women to check how they were and showed interest and concern for their welfare during a period when many were experiencing disruption, isolation and uncertainty.”

The report’s authors also directly quoted one of the women who used the service.

She said: “I've never known a member of staff to be anything but kind, caring and supportive. They're always available when I need them and respect my preferences regarding communication and level of support.”

Moray Women's Aid helps anything between 400 and 600 women annually through various services like its helpline, one-to-one support, refuge accommodation, and support for those transitioning into independent living.