Helping Hands Braintree

Updated 28 April 2022

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.

Inspection team

This inspection was completed by one inspector and an Expert by Experience who made telephone calls to people and their relatives. 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 support and personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

Notice of inspection

We gave notice of the inspection as we needed information about people who used the service and to ensure the registered manager would be there to meet with us. Inspection activity started on 10 March 2022 and ended on 29 March 2022. We visited the office location on 16 March 2022.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and other 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 one person who used the service and seven relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager, care coordinator and three staff members and had email information from one staff member.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. They provided additional information as requested.

Updated 28 April 2022

About the service

Helping Hands Braintree is a domiciliary care agency providing care and support to people living in their own homes. At the time of inspection, the service was supporting 20 people.

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

People and their relatives were very positive about their experience of using the service. There were enough staff to care for people safely. Recruitment practices were completed, and the required checks were in place. People were supported with their medicines safely and as prescribed. Infection prevention and control measures were effective, including the safe management of COVID-19. Systems and processes worked to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Learning was shared following any incidents.

People received an assessment so care could be planned to meet their needs. Risk assessments were undertaken to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Staff received training and supervision to support them in their role. Support was given with a range of personal and practical tasks, including choice and preferences. People told us they were supported to access health and other services as required, such as district nurses. Consent was considered as part of the care provided.

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 told us the staff were caring and kind. People were involved in their care arrangements and were able to make decisions about how care was provided.

Care planning was personalised and regularly reviewed. Staff built up good relationships with people and their relatives to help them maintain their independence and reduce the risk of social isolation. People told us they did not have cause to complain but knew how to do so if required. End of life care was provided if needed.

Systems and processes were in place to ensure oversight and governance of the service, including a range of regular audits. People told us they found the management team helpful and available. There was a positive and open culture. People’s feedback on care was sought through reviews and surveys.

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 23 June 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

The inspection was undertaken as the service had not been inspected since it was registered.

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.