Reablement Service

Updated 4 April 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 2 inspectors and 2 Experts by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 9 March 2023 and ended on 14 March 2023. We visited the location’s office on 9 March 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the new provider took over. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 19 people who used the service and 11 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 4 members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, office staff and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We received email feedback from 16 staff including deputy manager, reablement officers, reablement care workers and care coordinators. We received feedback from 4 health and social care professionals who work with the service. We visited 3 people in their own homes.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 6 people's care records and multiple medication records. We looked at 5 staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 4 April 2023

At the time of the inspection, the location did not care or support for anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.

About the service

Reablement Service provides up to 6 weeks support for people living in the community. Its primary aim is to promote independence so that people can remain living in their own home, help people recover faster from illness and to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital and long-term care facilities. The service was providing the regulated activity of personal care to 39 people at the time of inspection.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Right Support

People told us staff made them feel safe. Staff had a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that could indicate people were experiencing abuse or harm. They felt confident they would be listened to if they raised concerns. People had risk assessments which included control measures required to help them minimise the risks in their lives without being restrictive.

There were enough staff to support the number of people they visited. Recruitment was ongoing. Staff received regular spot checks and competency assessments. This ensured practice standards were maintained.

People had an initial assessment prior to them receiving a reablement service. This captured their goals, abilities, support network and desired outcomes.

Staff received a range of training to help them meet people’s needs. People felt staff were well trained. The service liaised well with relevant professionals and took a holistic approach to supporting people to regain their optimum level of independence.

Consent was sought prior to the reablement service commencing and during each visit by care staff. 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.

Right Care

People told us staff were always kind and respectful. Daily notes confirmed people’s right to refuse or influence the degree of support they wished to accept. People were supported to make decisions by staff who understand the importance of choice in all aspects of the care and support they received.

People and, where appropriate, their relatives told us they felt involved in decisions about the care and support they received. People were encouraged and supported to regain as much independence as possible with staff careful not to deskill them.

People’s reablement plans were detailed and person-centred. People's support was reviewed and amended to reflect the progress achieved on their reablement journey.

Right Culture

The service had a friendly and supportive culture. Staff enjoyed working for Reablement Service. People, relatives and professionals felt the service was organised and well run. The registered manager was praised by all stakeholders and felt supported by the provider.

Various audits took place which provided good oversight and helped maintain service quality. People’s and relative’s views were sought via surveys at the end of people's reablement service. Comments were positive.

The service had developed good working relationships with others including District Nurses, Hospital Discharge Teams and Occupational Therapists. This was helping people to achieve good outcomes during their time with the service. The service understood its vital role as a contributor to the health and social care system.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Rating at last inspection

The service was registered with us on 3 October 2022 and this was the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.