We carried out a review of the data available to us about Helping Hands Team 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 Helping Hands Team, you can give feedback on this service.
CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and nutrition. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives told us they or their relative felt safe when receiving care and support. Staff were aware of measures to take to prevent and control the spread of infection. There was a procedure to record and monitor any accidents/incidents which may occur, none had occurred in the last twelve months.
People were supported by a small group of staff who knew them well, and so allowing relationships to develop. The person gave positive feedback about the caring staff team.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff were trained to support people with their individual needs.
People knew about the complaints process and knew the process to follow if they had concerns.
People were treated with kindness, respect and staff involved them in decisions about their care.
The service was well-led. The provider had ensured that safe recruitment, governance and quality assurance procedures had been fully established. The provider continued to develop the agency and planned changes well in advance.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The agency was rated as Good at the last inspection in June 2017.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating inspection.
We have found the provider needs to make improvements. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report.
The service provides personal care and support to people who live in their homes in and around the Bassetlaw area of Nottinghamshire. At the time of this inspection 40 people received support from the agency; five of whom received support with their personal care needs.
The service is required to have a registered manager; a registered manager was in place at the time of this inspection. 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.
Records of people’s care, where staff had assisted people with topical creams were not always complete. Checks on the quality and safety of services were undertaken; however they were not always recorded. Policies were being reviewed to ensure they reflected the services provided.
People and their families felt safe with the care provided by the service. Staff had been trained in and understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people.
Checks had been completed on staff employed at the service. There were sufficient staff deployed to attend people’s calls and meet people’s needs.
Staff were trained to administer medicines when people required this care. Risk assessment processes were in place to identify, and where possible, reduce risks. Procedures were in place to ensure any accidents and incidents would be reported and managed in line with the provider’s procedures.
Staff sought people’s consent before they provided care. The provider had a policy in place on the Mental Capacity Act 2005, should a person not have the capacity to consent to their care.
Staff had been trained to have skills and knowledge in areas relevant to people’s care and support, including safeguarding people and first aid.
Where people needed care with their nutrition and hydration, staff understood how to provide this support and meet their known preferences.
Staff felt supported by the registered manager and had regular contact with them.
Staff were aware of people’s healthcare needs and worked with other professionals when needed.
People were cared for by staff who were caring and considerate. People were involved in planning and reviews of their care and support. Staff promoted people’s dignity and privacy.
People knew how to raise any worries or concerns. People received personalised and responsive care where their goals, aspirations, hobbies and interests were supported.
The registered manager promoted an open culture where opportunities to develop the service were taken with people and staff. The registered manager was known by people, their family members and staff; people felt the registered manager was approachable.