Huntingdon Re ablement Services is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. The aim of the service is to enable people to regain as much independence as possible after illness or hospital admission through the provision of an interim care package for up to six weeks. The service also provided support for people to avoid admission to hospital and mainstream domiciliary care. At the time of the inspection there were 55 people receiving personal care support from the service and there were 44 support staff employed.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 18 and 19 January 2017 and was announced

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.

People had their needs assessed and reviewed so that staff knew how to support them to improve their independence. People’s support plans and goals contained clear information about the person. The information was up to date and correct. People had risk assessments completed and staff had the necessary information they needed to reduce people’s risks. People were respected by staff and staff treated them with kindness.

There was a system in place to record complaints. This included the outcomes of complaints and how the information was used to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and could describe how people were supported to make decisions. Training had been provided by the service and staff were aware of current information and regulations regarding people’s care. This meant that there was a reduced risk that any decisions made on people's behalf by staff would not be in their best interest and as least restrictive as possible.

The risk of harm for people was reduced because staff knew how to recognise and report abuse. Staff had completed all training required by the provider. There was a system to ensure that staff received further training to update their skills.

The provider’s recruitment process was followed and this meant that people using the service received care from suitable staff. There was a sufficient number of staff to meet the needs of people receiving a service.

Staff meetings, supervision and individual staff appraisals were completed regularly. Staff were supported by care co-ordinators, senior reablement support workers, the reablement manager and the registered manager during the day. An out of hours on call system was in place to support staff, when required.

There were systems in place to monitor and audit the quality of the service provided. This meant that the provider was able to drive forward the necessary improvements needed.