We carried out a review of the data available to us about Whitby and Scarborough North Reablement on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Whitby and Scarborough North Reablement, you can give feedback on this service.
Inspection site visit activity started on 9 February 2018 and ended on 19 February 2018. At the time of this inspection, the service was providing support to 10 people.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
There was a manager in post who had registered with the Care Quality Commission. They assisted throughout the inspection process.
Safe recruitment processes had continued to be followed. Staff had received extensive safeguarding training and were familiar with the process they needed to follow if they had any concerns. Assessments had been completed when any risks were identified and these were regularly reviewed. Staff had received medicines training although at the time of this inspection were not currently providing support in this area. All staff were provided with personal protective equipment to promote good infection control practices.
New staff were required to complete an induction when they joined the service. People were supported by a regular team of competent staff who had completed extensive training, relevant to their role. Staff received supported through a regular system of supervisions and one to one discussions.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Staff had good working relationships with other health professionals and sought advice and guidance where needed.
People told us, without exception, that they were well cared for. Staff demonstrated a positive regard for what was important and mattered to people. Staff and people were clear the main aim of the service and support provided was to help people regain their independence.
People confirmed they were actively involved in the planning of their care. Care plans had been developed and clearly detailed the outcomes people wanted to achieve. People told us they knew how to make a complaint. The provider had a complaints policy in place which people received when they joined the service.
A range of quality assurance processes were in place to monitor and improve the service. The registered manager attended meetings, presentations and training courses to ensure they kept up to date with best practice guidance. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable, responsive and listened to any ideas for areas of improvement. People were asked to provide feedback on the service and were confident any concerns raised would be promptly addressed.
Further information is in the detailed findings below
This inspection took place on the 3 November 2015 and was announced. When we last inspected the service on 9 July 2013 we found no breaches of regulations.
North Yorkshire County Council operates HAS Directorate Office - Whitby Hospital. This location is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in Whitby and the surrounding areas. 20 people were supported in their own homes on the day we inspected. This service can be provided for up to six weeks to help people rehabilitate and increase their independence. This service is known as the short term assessment re-ablement team (START).
There was a registered manager in post at this service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People who used the service told us that they felt safe with the staff working at this service and we could see that the service was safe.
People were cared for in their own homes and staff assessed any risks to individuals whilst also looking at external risk factors which may affect someone’s safety. Accidents and incidents were recorded in peoples care records.
Staff had been recruited safely. They were trained to recognise any potential abuse and knew what to do in that situation and how to report any incidents.
Medicines were managed safely. Staff knew what assistance people needed to access their medicines and made appropriate arrangements for them to do so.
There was sufficient staff working at the service that had the skills and knowledge needed to meet people’s needs. They were trained in subjects that were relevant to their roles and were supported well through supervision by senior staff.
The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity act where it was appropriate. They sought people’s consent and worked with people to determine how they would provide any personal care and support.
People told us that the staff was caring. When we spoke with people who used the service and their relatives we were told how staff respected people’s privacy and dignity when providing personal care.
Clear information was provided to people about the service and what they could expect. People’s independence was supported and encouraged by staff as far as possible with people deciding on their goals and how to achieve them.
People had care plans that were person centred and up to date. Reviews were carried out regularly and changes made where appropriate.
We saw that complaints had been dealt with in a timely manner and following service policy and procedures.
The service was well led by a registered manager who was supported by home care managers. According to staff the service had a positive and enabling culture. This was supported by the comments made by people who used the service.
There was an effective quality assurance system in place. Audits were completed and any actions required were identified and acted upon. People were asked about their views of the service and their responses were positive.
During this visit we inspected four people's care records. We looked at some care records that were in brought in to the office on our request from people's own homes. We did not speak with people using the service because our issue had been with the standard of the care records only.
During our visit we spoke with the office staff and manager. They all confirmed that there were now new systems in place to make sure that care records were always up to date both at the office and in people's own homes. A member of staff told us 'Our records needed to improve. This has happened now and it is much better. We are better informed.' Another member of staff said, 'I feel more in control of the service. We knew what was expected to be put in place regarding our records. Our spreadsheets are updated and we have good systems in place now to ensure care records are kept totally up to date.' This ensures staff have the information they need to help protect people's health and wellbeing.
People we spoke with were happy with the care they received. However, during our visit we saw evidence that some people's needs may not be fully known by staff. We found that some care records did not reflect some people's full and current needs. We have asked the provider to address this.
There were policies and procedures in place to help to protect people from abuse. We were informed that any issues raised would be offered to the local authorities safeguarding team. This helped to protect people.
People we spoke with told us that they felt there was enough staff to ensure their service was provided in a timely way. One person we spoke with said 'The staff come when they are expected.' Staff we spoke with said they worked in teams to provide continuity of care for people.
People's views were being sought about the quality of the service being provided. We saw that the management team acted upon issues that were raised to help to protect people's health and wellbeing.