Assist Teignbridge is a charity which provides care and support to mostly older people, who live in their own homes. The services provided include a sitting service to enable carers to have a break, a nail trimming service, an enabling service and domestic help. People who use the service live in the Teignbridge area. At the time of the inspection the only personal care being provided was nail trimming. The service was not carrying out personal care such as washing, dressing, or assistance with eating and drinking. However this service was available if people needed it. 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.
We visited the office on 25 July 2016 and carried out phone calls to people and their relatives on 26 July 2016. At the time of this announced inspection, the service was carrying out 28 visits per week. There was also a monthly clinic which was held at the service’s location at Manor House.
People were really pleased with the way staff treated them. Each person we spoke with told us staff were kind, caring and compassionate. Comments included “They’re very good”; “I’m very happy” and “(Staff name) is a friend now”. People told us staff were respectful and polite.
People told us they felt safe and comfortable when staff were in their home and when they received care. People told us "I feel safe” and “There’s no reason to feel uncomfortable”. Staff knew how to recognise signs of potential abuse and understood how to report any concerns in line with the service's safeguarding policy. Safe staff recruitment procedures were in place. This helped reduce the risk of the provider employing a person who may be a risk to vulnerable people.
People told us staff knew how to meet their needs. Comments included "They do the job beautifully” and “They know what they’re doing”. Staff told us they were happy with the training they received. They said they felt well supported and had regular opportunities to discuss their work. Staff spoke about the people they cared for with compassion and concern. Staff took the time to identify when people may benefit from other services. For example, this had resulted in some people being matched with a befriender.
Assessments were carried out with the person before they used the service. Staff checked people’s medical information at each visit to make sure there had not been any changes. When staff identified any concerns these were referred to healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate treatment was given. People told us staff were on time. They arranged their appointments with the staff member who visited them. If staff were off at short notice, the appointment was rearranged or the registered manager provided the service.
The service sought regular feedback. People told us they were asked for feedback over the phone or during visits and staff observations. An annual questionnaire was sent out and feedback from this was positive. The majority of people said they were very satisfied with the service.
People and their relatives felt able to raise concerns or make a complaint. They were confident their concerns would be taken seriously. People told us they didn't have any complaints. Comments included “I can’t think of anything that could be better” and “No complaints”. The service had a complaints policy but had not received any complaints.
People told us the management were approachable and they were happy with the service. Comments included “I could pick up the phone but don’t ever need to” and “Things are going extremely well”. Staff told us there was open culture. Staff said “The manager is brilliant, amazing” and “job satisfaction is through the roof”. Staff felt well supported and enjoyed their work.
The registered manager was keen to develop and improve the service. They kept up-to-date with best practice and met up with other care providers to share good practice. Records were clear, well organised and up-to-date. An audit system was in place to monitor the quality of the service. The registered manager carried out checks to observe staff’s competency on a regular basis.