Dales Reablement Service

Updated 26 February 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection activity started on 21 January and ended on 29 January 2019. The inspection was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the registered manager and staff were often out of the office supporting people and we needed to be sure they would be available.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector. Following the inspection site visit on 21 January 2019, the inspector contacted four people who used the service and three members of staff to gain their views on the service provided and support they received.

As part of planning our inspection, we contacted the local Healthwatch and the local authority safeguarding and quality performance teams to obtain their views about the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer group, which gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We reviewed information we held about the service, including the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to tell us about within required timescales.

The provider sent us their Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help plan for the inspection.

The registered manger was present throughout the inspection site visit. During the inspection we reviewed a range of documentation. This included three people's care planning documentation and daily records and three people’s medicine administration records. We looked at three staff files relating to their recruitment, supervision, appraisal and training. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service and a wide variety of policies and procedures.

Updated 26 February 2019

This inspection took place between 21 and 29 January 2019 and was announced.

Dales Reablement Service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats to predominantly older people through a short-term assessment and reablement program. This offers short-term support to help people regain their independence after an accident or ill health, or to help those with a disability remain independent.

At the time of inspection 14 people used the service.

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 ongoing 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.

Safe recruitment processes were followed. New staff received a thorough induction to the service and were supported with regular one to one supervisions and observations. A thorough training program was in place to ensure staff had the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles. Staff were encouraged to continuously develop.

Staff had a thorough understanding of the different types of abuse and action they should take to report any concerns to protect people from harm. Where risks to people were identified, appropriate plans to manage these were in place and regularly reviewed as people’s independence developed.

People told us staff followed good infection control practices and the provider ensured personal protective equipment was readily available.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Consent to care and treatment was recorded and staff respected people’s choices.

People were supported, where needed, to maintain good food and fluid intake. Staff were able to provide support in relation to meal preparation if this was required. Care records clearly detailed the level of supported people required whilst encouraging, promoting and developing people’s independence.

People told us they were actively involved in the planning of their care and goals and outcomes they wished to achieve. Care records contained person-centred information. Regular care reviews had taken place to monitor the progress people were making.

People told us staff were kind and caring and treated them with dignity and respect. Staff were knowledgeable about peoples likes, dislikes and preferences and positive relationships had been developed. Staff provided advice on where aids to maintain independence could be sourced and would be of benefit to people.

There was a registered manager in post. Staff told us they were supported and valued by the management team who were described as friendly, approachable and responsive. The registered manager was keen to share best practice and learn from mistakes. People were asked to provide feedback on the service provided and knew how to raise any concerns or complaints. Regular quality audits had been conducted to monitor and improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below