A service that provides help and support to people in their own homes has been praised for its ‘kind and caring’ staff.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) described Nottingham Home Care as a well-run service that puts the needs of its customers first. It also helped to devise innovative solutions to cope with the extra demand placed on community services over the last winter.

Run by Nottingham City Council, the service provides personal care to older people and adults with a physical or learning disability – especially helping those who have had a serious illness, such as a stroke, to recover their ability to care for themselves.

Inspectors rated Nottingham Home Care as ‘Good’ in every category, saying that people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and that staff cared for them in the least restrictive way possible.

The inspection found:

  • People were protected from risk of abuse or harm by staff who understood their responsibility to keep people safe
  • Care plans gave clear directions on how to care for a person so that they recovered their skills
  • People were helped to make decisions and be in control of their care to ensure they got their independence back or to be as independent as possible
  • The service was well managed and worked closely with families, relatives and with other partnership agencies

Inspectors said: “People were supported by staff who were kind and caring, knew their likes and dislikes and got to know them as a person. One person told us, ‘I’ve had the same one for ages now; we’re like friends’. Another relative told us, ‘The staff are really lovely, helpful and nice’.”

One person who received Home Care told the inspectors: “Nobody really wants someone else to do their personal care, so it’s difficult. I prefer it when I know people better as it makes it easier for me. The staff always try and make me feel comfortable.”

Nottingham Home Care, which maintained its ‘Good’ rating from the last CQC inspection in 2016, employs around 200 staff to support people in approximately 176 citizens in the city – equalling 600 visits per day of a total of 300 hours per day. The service works closely with hospitals and plays a key role to help people to be discharged from hospital back into their own homes.

Inspectors said: “The service manager was aware of the changing needs of people and managed the service in an innovative manner that ensured continuous development in line with changing needs in the community. For example, the service had, over the winter, been awarded additional finance to develop the service to people to aid hospital discharge and prevent people being in hospital longer than necessary. This innovative approach ensured this service worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to provide the care people needed.”

Cllr Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health in Nottingham, said the positive report was testament to the way the council puts the needs of people at the heart of its services.

He said: “I’m pleased that Nottingham City Council’s Home Care service is providing high-quality care for local residents. It is clear the dedicated, caring and knowledgeable staff impressed the inspectors and I would like to thank them for the valuable service they provide.

“The role played by Home Care will continue to be crucial as we start to plan for next winter, to make sure that people can be looked after in their own homes when they are ready to be discharged from hospital. Working in partnership is a key element in this and I’m pleased that the innovation we have shown as a city has been recognised by the CQC.”

The full report can be found on the CQC website here.

Nottingham Home Care is currently recruiting staff to join its service. To find out more, visit www.nottinghamjobs.com.

The positive inspection builds on other positive findings for the City Council. All in-house adult social care services run by the council were found to be ‘Good’ by the CQC for being safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Inspections have been carried out at:

  • The Oaks Residential Care Home, Campbell Street, St Ann’s, Nottingham
  • Oakdene Residential Care Home, Woodborough Rd, St Ann’s Nottingham
  • JackDawe care at home, Citywide service based at Aspect House, Bulwell, Nottingham
  • Cherry Trees Resource Centre, Chippenham Rd, Bestwood Park, Nottingham
  • Shared Lives Service (adult fostering) Citywide service based at Loxley House
  • Social Care Reablement Service, Citywide service based at Aspect House, Bulwell, Nottingham