9 August 2017
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 9 and 17 August 2017 and was announced. This was our first inspection of this service.
The service provides care to people in their own homes in the Suffolk coastal area. On the date of this inspection they were providing support to 90 people across the area.
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.’
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.
People told us they received excellent care from staff who knew them well. We were given examples of where staff had gone above and beyond to ensure people received high quality care and support. People received care from a consistent group of care staff. Care staff were punctual and effectively carried out the care and support required. Where people required support with their medicines this was provided safely.
Staff had received a range of training that included moving and handling, safeguarding and medicines. Staff were encouraged to take further qualifications to develop their knowledge and enable them to provide high quality care. Staff told us that the training they received was good and equipped them to provide the care and support required.
The service followed safe recruitment procedures. Staff attended an induction prior to working alone in the service. Staff told us that they worked alongside an experienced staff member before working alone. This was usually planned so that they met the people they would be supporting during their induction. Once working in the service staff received regular refresher training.
The service had a complaints procedure. Both formal complaints, minor concerns raised and any accidents and incidents were monitored to ensure a satisfactory outcome and for any learning to improve the service.