First inspection of Helping Hands Southport, a domiciliary care agency supporting 37 people, rated Good overall and across all five key questions. Inspectors found safe medication and recruitment practices, person-centred care plans, well-trained staff, and effective governance with no breaches identified.
Strengths
· Medications delivered safely and on time, with PRN plans and MCA-compliant storage decisions
· Safe recruitment procedures with all required pre-employment checks completed
· Electronic call monitoring system ensured visits were not missed and rotas were well organised
· Comprehensive, person-centred risk assessments including environmental risk assessments
· Staff trained, supervised and appraised, including specialist training such as PEG care
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; Supporting people to access healthcare servicesGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality, diversity, privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and controlGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people, public and staff; Working in partnership; Promoting a positive person-centred cultureGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood