SimplyHelpingSeniors Limited

The registered manager followed safe recruitment and completed appropriate safety checks on new applicants to ensure they were suitable to work for the service. People and family members told us staff were mostly on-time but would contact them to let them know if they were going to be late which offered them reassurance. Staff told us they were given enough time to complete all tasks required whilst still being able to chat with people and their family members.

Staff had received training in relation to infection prevention and control and received regular updates, particularly in relation to COVID-19. People and family members told us staff wore the correct PPE during visits. The registered manager ensured staff had access to enough supplies of PPE. Staff carried out regular COVID-19 testing in line with current guidance.

People's care and support needs had been assessed and staff were provided with information and guidance about how to meet people's needs effectively. Staff received training relevant to their role and the needs of people they supported. People and family members felt confident staff knew what they were doing and had the right skills and knowledge to carry out their role.

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.

People and family members spoke positively about the staff and the relationships that had been developed. Staff took time to get to know people and it was evident they knew them and their families well. Family members told us staff often offered to help them with additional tasks which they appreciated.

People received care that was person-centred and based on their wishes and preferences; people and family members were involved in the planning process. Care plans contained information about people's life histories and what was important to them to allow staff to get to know them before providing support.

Where required, people were supported to access the community.

The service was not supporting anyone with end-of-life care at the time of our inspection, however they received positive feedback from family members of people who had previously received this level of care. The service had one staff member dedicated to 'night sits' with people in receipt of end-of-life care. This helped offer comfort and reassurance to people and their family members.

The registered manager was passionate about maintaining a service that was 'personal' and encouraged a 'family' feeling with regular offers of support to everyone involved in the service. People, family members and staff all provided positive feedback about the registered managers caring and supportive nature and desire to ensure people received good care from the right staff. Regular checks were completed on the safety and quality of the service in order to promote continuous improvements to people's care.