Enable Ability

There was a registered manager in post as required. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At our last inspection we found one breach of the regulations in relation to requirements for workers. Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key question of safe to at least good. At this inspection we found the required action had been taken to meet this regulation. The provider operated robust recruitment processes.

Processes were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse and risks to people had been assessed. Staff spoken with had a clear understanding of their responsibility to raise any concerns or issues. Processes were in place to ensure trained staff provided people's medicines where required. The provider had acted to ensure the medicine administration records for the one person they currently support with medicines are returned to the office for storage once complete. Processes were in place to protect people from the risk of acquiring an infection.

People's care needs had been assessed prior to the commencement of the service and staff were provided with relevant information both within their training and staff handbooks. Staff underwent training that was specifically tailored to the needs of the person or people they befriended. Staff were not generally involved in the provision of or preparation of food for people at home, however where they did provide this care, this was stated in the person's care plan. Staff supported people when out as required with eating their meals.

Staff worked well across the provider's services to ensure people experienced a seamless and joined up service. The service was not commissioned to meet people's day to day health and well-being needs. However, staff worked closely with a range of agencies to ensure people received effective care and ensured any relevant information was shared. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their

lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Sessional workers had created meaningful relationships with both children and adults who trusted them and enjoyed spending time with them. Staff used a variety of techniques and communication methods to enable people to express their views about their care. Staff ensured people's privacy and dignity were upheld.

The service was very responsive to people's individual needs and the provision of people's befriending sessions were highly personalised. People's aspirations were identified with them and staff supported people to achieve their identified goals. Staff enabled people to have presence in their local community and to maintain relationships. Processes were in place to enable people and their representatives to raise any issues and appropriate action had been taken in response to any issues raised.

There was a clear strategy for the delivery of the service and processes were in place to monitor the culture of the service. The registered manager understood their legal responsibilities and the challenges facing the service. People, their representatives, staff and trustees were all involved in the service and their thoughts and expertise were actively sought and utilised for people's benefit. Internal and external processes were in place to monitor the quality of the service. The service worked in partnership with a variety of agencies to support care provision.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found