AQS Homecare Essex

People's experience of using the service: People felt safe using the service and liked having regular care staff who they had formed positive relationships with. Risks to people had been assessed and these were well managed by a consistent staff team who knew people well.

Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities to protect people from the risk of abuse. There were sufficient staff employed who had been safely recruited.

Medicines were safely managed by staff who were trained and assessed as competent. Staff had training in food hygiene and infection control and followed good practice to prevent contamination and the spread of infection.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff were trained and monitored to check they had the skills and knowledge to do their job. Staff enjoyed working at the company and felt well supported by the management team.

People had assistance with meals and drinks if required. People's health needs had been assessed and staff had guidance on how to help people stay healthy. Staff helped people be as independent as they could be.

Staff were kind and caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People had regular care staff who knew how they liked to be supported. Staff understood how to communicate with people to help them express their views and make choices.

People knew how to make a complaint and complaints were dealt with appropriately. Feedback from people and staff was invited and acted upon to improve the service. Systems and processes were in place to monitor safety and quality and drive improvements.