The service is a domiciliary care agency which operates a specialist rehabilitation service to people who had just left hospital to help them regain skills to live independently over six weeks. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes, flats and specialist housing. It provides a service mainly to older adults but also some younger adults. There was one person receiving personal care from the service at the time of this inspection although more people were receiving care from parts of the service we do not regulate.

This inspection took place on 24 August 2018. We gave two days’ notice to the provider to ensure someone was available to assist us with the inspection. This was the first inspection of the service since it registered with us in July 2017.

People received joined-up care which met their needs well. The service was part of a team of health and social care professionals called the LIFE Team. The professionals included community nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, health and wellbeing assessors and some voluntary organisations. The service communicated well with other professionals in the LIFE team to ensure people received the care they needed.

People were supported to regain their independent living skills and staff tailored people’s care to their needs. The LIFE Team assessed people’s needs holistically before they began receiving care and identified which services they would benefit from. People agreed their goals with staff at the start of their six-week period of care. Typical goals included gaining confidence, improving strength and mobility and regaining the skills to do day to day tasks such as cooking and making hot drinks. The service was successful in supporting people to achieve their goals which meant they could continue to live in their own homes.

People received care from staff who were suitably trained and supported. A training programme as in place to help staff understand people’s needs. Staff were also trained as ‘trusted assessors’ which meant they promptly identified any equipment people needed to maintain their independence and helped them obtain it through the LIFE Team. Staff also received regular supervision with their line manager.

People felt safe with staff and staff understood their responsibilities to protect people from abuse and neglect. Staff received training in safeguarding adults at risk each year.

People received safe care. The provider assessed risks relating to people’s care and staff followed guidance in place to reduce the risks.

People were supported by appropriate numbers of staff and the provider checked staff were suitable to work with people through recruitment processes.

People received the support their required to maintain their health and the service worked closely with healthcare professionals to meet people’s needs.

People’s care plans contained sufficient detail to guide staff on people’s physical, mental, emotional and social needs and informed them of their personal history. People were involved in developing their care plans and in decisions relating to their care.

People were positive about the staff who supported them and positive relationships developed during the six-week periods of care. Staff understood the care people needed and how people preferred to receive their care. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and people’s privacy was maintained.

People’s concerns and complaints were investigated by the provider and responded to appropriately.

The service was well-led with visible management and a clear management structure. The registered manager and staff understood their role and responsibilities.

The provider had systems in place to oversee the quality of service including observing the care staff provided, audits and gathering feedback from people, relatives and staff.