Archived: Allied Healthcare - Yeovil

Each person using the service had a plan of care that included people's individual needs and wishes and detailed people's physical and emotional healthcare needs.

Staff had received safeguarding training and those we spoke with were aware of how and when to report any concerns. We saw that safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and staff had signed their handbooks to say they had read and understood them. People we spoke with told us they "felt safe" when their carers were there.

We saw there was a caring and experienced staff team and that staff were well supported and trained to carry out their duties. One member of staff told us, "we can get any training we need, we just ask and it's arranged".

Quality assurance audits were undertaken to ensure the service was kept under review. We looked at the complaints process and saw that policies and procedures were up to date and easily accessible for members of staff and people to use. Records we reviewed showed us the agency had received three complaints of a minor nature during the past year and that they had been recorded and dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner.

People experienced care and support that was planned around their individual needs. People told us they were involved in making decisions about how they were going to be supported and have their care needs met.

People told us the service listened to them and they knew who to speak to if they had any concerns. People told us they liked the staff that came to their home and described having a good relationship with them.

Staff received training and guidance which helped to ensure they supported people safely. When people told us about the staff team their comments included "they are very helpful' and 'We definitely get on well with them all.' Staff said they felt supported by the managers and were informed about any changes to the service.

The records held by the service in their offices and people's own home were complete and kept up to date. This helped and supported staff to maintain the comfort and well being of people using the service.

Systems were in place for monitoring the service and collecting people's views on the quality of the care they received.

Having assessed the available evidence, we considered the service demonstrated how it met the safety and welfare needs of the people using the service.