Apollo Home Healthcare Limited-East

The service is able to support children up to 18 years of age, younger and older adults, people with a learning disability or autistic people, and people living with dementia, a physical disability and/or sensory impairment. At the time of the inspection, 39 people were using the service, all of whom received personal, and/or nursing, care.

At the time of the inspection, the location did not care or support for anyone whose primary care need was for 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.

Right Support Staff were knowledgeable and skilled in applying safeguarding procedures and knew to whom they could report any concerns. The provider acted effectively where safeguarding issues or allegations were identified. People received their medicines as prescribed by trained and competent staff.

The service and the staff team took on board learning when things went wrong and effective changes were implemented. Enough skilled and suitable staff had been recruited and most recruitment records showed the provider had checked they were safe to work with people. However, best practice guidance for checks for staff from outside the UK did not always include a police check. We were assured this would be addressed. A relative said there was enough staff cover, and only in exceptional circumstances did they have to support their family member's care needs until replacement staff arrived.

Right Care 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. A person told us they chose when to have their medicines and how. Other professionals were involved so people's care and treatment was always in their best interests.

Risks to people were identified and safely managed. Staff knew how to keep people safe, such as when using medical equipment and hoist and slings used to support people to reposition. Staff adhered to good infection prevention and control practices. A person told us staff always washed their hands between each care task.

Right Culture In the main, quality monitoring systems, oversight and governance was effective in driving improvements. Although there were some missed opportunities to improve the accuracy and details in people's records. The registered manager led by example and had fostered an open and honest staff team culture. Staff put people's needs at the forefront of their care and treatment needs and staff upheld people's human rights to have a good quality of life.

People, their relatives and staff had a say in how the service was provided. The provider worked well with other organisations, and this helped people live a full meaningful life. A person had praised the provider for standing up for their human rights so they could live more independently at home. Another person had, for the first time ever, been on a holiday which they had thoroughly enjoyed.