Archived: Cumbria Care Domiciliary and Reablement Service - Carlisle

The reablement service provides intensive support for up to six weeks to enable people to become more independent in their own homes after a time in hospital or a spell of illness. The agency can only provide care purchased through the local authority.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

At the time of our inspection visit, the service did not have 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 provider was in the process of recruiting a new manager and following our inspection they confirmed that one had been appointed. In the interim period, the service was being supported by another, experienced manager.

There were systems in place to help make sure people were safe and protected from the risks of harm or abuse.

Medicines were managed safely and people were supported to maintain control over their own medicines. Medication protocols were in the process of being reviewed and updated by the provider.

People had been involved in the development of their support and reablement plans. This helped to make sure that the care provided was specific to their needs and goals.

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 received assessments of their care needs before any support had been provided to them. The people we spoke with during the inspection told us that they had been asked about the care and the support they wanted.

People had access to other health and social care services and the reablement team worked closely with them. This helped to ensure people remained independent and in their own homes for as long as possible.

The service had clear strategies and plans around supporting people to remain independent. There were systems in place to help make sure the service operated effectively and safely. People who used the service and staff working at the service were able to make comments about the standard and quality of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

Cumbria Care Domiciliary Care Agency Carlisle is registered to provide personal care and a reablement service to people in their own homes in the Carlisle and Eden areas of Cumbria. Reablement is intensive support for up to 6 weeks is to enable people to become more independent in their own homes after a time in hospital or a spell of illness.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our 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.

We found that the service was safe and members of the staff team were aware of their role and responsibility to keep people safe. There were sufficient staff to provide the appropriate level of care and support.

We saw that the provider had robust recruitment policies and procedures which ensured only suitable people were employed to care for vulnerable people, some having complex needs.

Risk assessments covering all aspects of care and support were in place and reviewed every month.

We found that staff training was up to date. Following their induction some staff then completed other specific training according to the needs of the people they supported.

Staff confirmed they had regular supervision meetings with their line manager.

The service followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice. This helped to protect the rights of people who were not able to make important decisions for themselves.

Prior to the service starting each person had a detailed assessment of their needs. This ensured the most appropriate level of care was provided. Suitable personal care and support plans were in place and up to date.

Staff had formed close relationships with the people they supported. Privacy and dignity were respected at all times. People were encouraged to access activities in the community if they were able so to do.

There was an appropriate internal quality monitoring procedure in place to monitor service provision. Checks or audits were completed in respect of medicines administration, care plans, personal involvement, health and safety and risk assessments. These checks ensured people were cared for and supported in the way people preferred.