Helping Hands Wantage

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. At the time of inspection 31 people out of the 40 were receiving a regulated activity.

People were supported in a kind and caring way by staff that knew them well. They were happy with the support they received from staff. People's privacy and dignity was considered and maintained, and people were encouraged to make choices. People's preferences, including their likes and dislikes, were considered, and they received support based on these needs. Peoples' communication was considered and there was a complaint policy in place.

Staff members were trained to enable them to safely meet people's needs. Records evidenced that supervision meetings for staff were held regularly and staff told us they were well supported to perform their roles. 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.

Relatives and staff spoke highly of the management; they found them approachable and supportive. There were effective systems to monitor, maintain and improve the quality of the service and the registered manager ensured care and support were provided appropriately, and effectively.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people. We considered this guidance as there were people using the service who had a learning disability and or who are autistic.

At the time of the inspection, the location did not care or support for anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.