Girassol Community Care (Huntingdonshire)

Enough skilled and suitable staff had been safely recruited. People were supported by a consistent staff team who they felt comfortable with. People received their medicines as prescribed and staff ensured they followed infection prevention guidance and good practise.

People's needs were assessed before the service provided them with care or support. Staff knew people's needs well and care plans were reviewed as soon as changes occurred. Staff had received the required training and ongoing support to help them maintain and improve their skills to fulfil their role and responsibilities. People said staff had the skills necessary to care for them well.

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 said staff were caring and knew their needs and preferences well. Staff gave people privacy, treated them with dignity and respect and helped promote people's independence.

People said they were involved when reviewing their care and felt staff were responsive to their changing needs.

Monitoring and oversight of the service was effective in identifying and driving improvements. The registered manager led by example and had fostered an open and honest staff team culture. People came first and foremost, and they had a say in how the service was provided. The provider worked well with other organisations, to provide people with joined up care.

We undertook this inspection at the same time as CQC inspected a range of urgent and emergency care services in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. To understand the experience of social care providers and people who use social care services, we asked a range of questions in relation to accessing urgent and emergency care. The responses we received have been used to inform and support system wide feedback.

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