Helping Hands Wakefield

Updated 2 July 2021

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 Care Act 2014.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by an inspector and an Expert 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.

The current manager had not yet registered with CQC but had started the application process. They had been in post since March 2021.

Notice of inspection

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

Inspection activity started on 1 June 2021 and ended on 3 June 2021. We visited the office location on 3 June 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service and 10 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the compliance business manager, the manager, a care coordinator and the care and training practitioner. We also contacted all staff via e-mail to ask questions about the service. We received feedback from five members of staff

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

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the manager to validate evidence found.

Updated 2 July 2021

About the service

Helping Hands Wakefield is a domiciliary care service that provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to older adults in the Wakefield area. At the time of inspection, the service was supporting 23 people.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People spoke positively about the care provided, referring to staff as kind, caring and friendly. People were safe and protected from avoidable harm. Individual risk assessments were in place. People and their relatives told us they felt people were kept safe. People's medicines were well managed. Correct infection control procedures were followed, and the service had taken additional infection control measures to minimise the risk posed by COVID-19. Staff demonstrated a good understanding about how to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. There were enough staff to support people and they had been recruited in a way that helped to keep people safe.

Staff received appropriate training, support and supervision. Care plans were personalised and provided enough detail to inform staff how to support people. They included information about people's preferences and abilities. People were supported to maintain a balanced and varied diet to promote their health and respect their personal preferences. People were supported to maintain good health and have access to health and social care services as required.

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.

People and relatives praised the staff for their kindness and compassion. People and relatives were happy with the care provided and told us they were involved in planning and reviewing care. People and relatives knew how to raise concerns and were happy with the action taken in response.

The service used a range of audits and monitoring tools to assess the quality and safety of the support and care provided. The service actively engaged and sought the views of people, their relatives and staff to improve service delivery.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 30 September 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection in line with our inspection programme.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.