Helping Hands Chelmsford

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.

People appreciated receiving care from regular care staff who usually arrived on time. If they were going to be delayed, people were notified by telephone. This had been a concern at the last inspection but had now been resolved. A new system had been introduced to monitor visit times and was audited by management.

Care plans were person-centred, and people and relatives told us they were involved in their planning of care. People told us they were treated with respect and their dignity promoted. People and relatives described the staff as very good and caring.

Staff recruitment processes were robust. Staff received training and people told us staff were skilled. Senior personnel made spot checks to assess staff competency and to provide additional training if required.

People received their medicines as prescribed and people confirmed that staff used PPE appropriately to reduce the risk of infection. The service worked with health and social care professionals and people told us they were confident that if they required medical assistance staff would refer to the relevant professional.

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.

The registered manager recognised people using the service may experience loneliness and isolation, and the management team had been working closely with the organisations in the local community to provide people with advice and support.