Helping Hands Lincoln

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.

There were sufficient staff to meet people's needs. People always received their care calls and were contacted if staff were going to be late. Staff had been recruited safely. Staff had received training in safeguarding and was aware of their responsibilities to report concerns to the local authority. Staff ensured they kept people safe from the risk of infection by wearing appropriate PPE and following infection control practices.

Peoples care needs, risks associated with their care and environmental risks had been assessed and mitigated. Where people needed support with their medicines it was done so safely by suitably trained and competent staff.

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.

New staff to the service received an induction period, with training and shadow shifts with experienced staff.

Where needed staff supported people to maintain a balanced diet. Staff supported people to access health care when required. Including contacting peoples GP and district nurses.

People and their families said that they were treated with dignity and respect by friendly caring staff. People said they were involved in the planning of their care, that assessments carried out prior to receiving care were thorough.

At the time of the inspection nobody was receiving end of life care. However, staff are trained to support people when needed.

Staff said that they felt supported by the registered manager and the office team. They received regular supervision. There is a duty on call to support carers out of hours.

People and their relatives knew who the registered manager was, they said that the registered manager was approachable and acted when issues were raised.