24 April 2012
During a routine inspection
People told us that care workers treated them with respect, provided all the help and care they needed. They also said that they received their support from a regular team of care workers and that they were usually on time. They told us that the support and help they received was discussed and agreed with them. They also said that they thought the care workers had the competence to meet their needs. One person said, 'They understand all about my Parkinson's and what to do'.
People said that senior staff from Harbourside Home Care Services telephoned them and visited them regularly to check that they were satisfied with the service they received.
We also spoke by telephone with three other people who were receiving a service and two relatives of other people. Most people told us they were 'happy' with the service they received. Only one person expressed some reservations and said, 'It all depends on the girl. I have one who is excellent. I have had worse and better but I am quite satisfied and they do their best'. One relative said, 'Her carers always turn up on time. They have never let her down, even when there was all that snow'.
We spoke with four care workers about what it was like to work for Harbourside Home Care Services. They told us they were given induction and on going training to enable them to meet the needs of the people they helped.