Comfort Call Tameside

This service is a domiciliary care agency, providing personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to older adults and younger adults who may have additional needs including physical and learning disabilities and sensory impairments.

Not everyone using Comfort Call receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 167 people with personal care.

The service had a registered manager in place. 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.

The people we spoke with were happy with the service they received. They told us "they've been very good" and "I've always been very pleased, I have no complaints."

There was a safe system of recruitment in place which helped protect people who used the service from unsuitable staff. Staff received training, supervision and appraisals. This meant that staff were supported to undertake their job roles effectively.

Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staff were aware of how to protect people from harm. Risks to people who used the service and staff were assessed. Guidance was given to staff on how to minimise those risks.

Suitable arrangements were in place to help ensure people's health and nutritional needs were met. Staff were aware of infection control procedures and had access to appropriate equipment.

Care records were person-centred and included people's interests and preferences. Care and support provided were reviewed regularly with people, and those important to them, were also involved in these reviews.

People were consulted about the care provided and staff always sought their consent before providing support. The requirements of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 were being met.

People told us staff were nice and caring. Staff knew people well and were positive about the role of supporting people. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of maintaining and promoting people's independence and choice.

Accidents, incidents, safeguarding concerns and complaints were investigated fully and action taken to reduce the risk of reoccurrence. This learning was shared throughout the provider's other locations.

Systems were in place to allow the registered manager to have a good overview of the quality of care being delivered.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found