Archived: Wessex Regional Care Domiciliary Service Also known as Wessex Regional Care Services

We spoke with seven staff and members of the senior management team of the organisation. All staff told us how much they enjoyed working with the people they supported. They all commented on the high level of support and training they had received to enable them to do their job.

We found people were involved in their support plans and one person told us "I would tell staff if I wanted to do something different." Staff told us they ensured dignity for people by knocking on doors, asking people what they wanted to do and encouraging people to be as independent as possible. One person told us "I choose what I want for my dinner."

All the people we spoke with said they would speak out to staff or the manager if they felt they were not safe. All of the staff we spoke with had received safeguarding training and identified what they would do if they had concerns.

Staff told us how well supported they felt by their line manager and the registered manager. We saw, in staff files, supervisions were occurring regularly and were well documented. An appraisal was held annually for all staff.

Relatives told us that they were very happy with the service. We were told 'I am perfectly happy with the care provided'. Relatives told us that the person who received care and support was encouraged and supported to make their own decisions and be as independent as possible. One relative told us 'I would never have believed they could have got to this point,' whilst telling us how the individual was now able to live on their own with support from Wessex Regional Care.

People who used the service were involved in the planning of their care and support. This was confirmed in conversations with relatives and members of staff. We were told by a relative that 'care plans and reviews are discussed with them (their son/daughter).'

People were supported to raise concerns and complaints. Relatives told us that they had confidence that the service would respond to any concerns or complaints promptly.

Relatives told us that care staff had the skills to provide support and care to their family members. The recruitment process followed by the service meant that people who used the service were involved in the recruitment of staff.