Aspire Care (SW)

People's experience of using this service: People received a service that was safe and protected them from harm. The staff team received training which ensured they maintained people's safety and any risks were well-managed. Where required, medicines were administered safely, and infection control measures were robust.

Whilst the service is still relatively new and supporting a small number of people, no new services users will be taken on until there is the staff capacity to provide the carer and support required. Any new service user will be fully assessed prior to any service being agreed upon.

The staff team received the relevant training to enable them to do their job well and were well supported by the management team. Training included a comprehensive induction programme at the start of their employment and ongoing refresher training. Each person was allocated their individual staff team which meant staff were able to provide a consistent service and knew their individual care and support needs. Staff supported people to live their life in their way of choosing and provided support with meaningful activities where appropriate.

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.

Some comments have been made about communication between the management and office staff and the care staff and families. Communication had been particularly difficult during the pandemic but actions already taken by the registered manager have led to improvements being made.

Care records were kept up to date and amended as and when required. People were looked after by staff who were kind and caring. People and their family said they would feel comfortable to raise any concerns or issues they had and felt they would be listened to. We received positive feedback about people's experiences of the support they received. People told us staff treated them well, with dignity and respect.

People's support was tailored to meet their individual needs as per their plan of care. Where a person could self-direct their care, the staff worked with them to achieve this. Staff facilitated people to access community resources and any new opportunities they wanted to try and be involved in.

People and staff spoke positively about the registered manager and the senior care staff. Whilst the staff did

say how difficult it had been during the pandemic, they also said they were valued and supported by the registered manager.

There were measures in place to monitor the quality, safety and 'customer' satisfaction with service provision. There was a regular programme of auditing and people were asked and encouraged to provide feedback regarding their views and opinions of the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk