Archived: Elmbridge Reablement Service

Elmbridge Reablement Service is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes who have been in hospital or require support due to a decline in their health. The service is provided for a few days, or up to a maximum of 6 weeks depending on need. If it is identified that people may still require longer term support, the service worked with staff in local social care teams to help arrange long term support. At the time of the inspection 56 people were receiving support from the service.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

The service was described by people, their relatives, healthcare professionals, and professionals from the local authority in complimentary terms in respect of leadership, person centred care, partnership working and compassion.

People told us they felt safe with the support they received from staff. There were arrangements in place to help safeguard people from the risk of abuse. The provider had appropriate policies and procedures in place to inform people who used the service and staff knew how to report potential or suspected abuse. Staff understood what constituted abuse and were aware of the steps to take to protect people.

There were risk assessments and management plans for people to reduce the likelihood of harm. There were safe recruitment procedures in place to help protect people from the risks of being cared for by staff assessed to be unfit or unsuitable.

Staff had received training in relevant areas of their work. This enabled them to support people effectively.

Staff and the registered manager understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were involved in making decisions about their care and support and their consent was sought and documented.

People were supported to eat and drink in a safe manner where this was required. Care plans included an assessment of their nutrition and hydration needs.

People told us they were treated with dignity and respect. Staff understood the need to protect people's privacy and dignity. People told us staff knocked on their doors before they could enter their homes.

The provider had systems in place to continually monitor the quality of the service and people were asked for their opinions and where required action plans were developed to address areas for improvements.

People who used the service told us that the reablement assistants who visited them provided support in a way that kept them safe. The reablement assistants we spoke with were clear about their responsibilities in relation to recognising and reporting abuse.

All the staff we spoke with told us that they received the support they needed to do their jobs. They said that they had access to a wide range of training and that they had opportunities to obtain further relevant qualifications.

People who used the service, their relatives and staff had opportunities to contribute their views about the service. People told us that any comments they made about the support they received were taken into account and that any changes they requested had been implemented.

One person told that the staff were 'Absolutely brilliant' and that they couldn't have done without the service. Another person told us that the staff were 'Absolutely delightful' and looked forward to the staff coming. They also told us that the staff 'Always smile and ask me how I am.'