Archived: Carewatch (Thames Valley)

Carewatch (Thames Valley) is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. The service supported older people, younger adults, people living with dementia and people with a physical disability or sensory impairment. At the time of our inspection there were 189 people receiving personal care.

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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse. The staff team followed procedures and practices to control the spread of infection using personal protective equipment. Risk assessments were individualised to meet the needs of the person.

People told us they felt staff were caring. The service promoted people to be as independent as possible. People felt involved in their care and care plans reviewed regularly to meet the needs of the person.

People’s communication needs were assessed, and staff were aware if a person required further support with their communication. People and relatives told us they were aware of how to raise a complaint with the service. Staff worked well with people, families and health and social care agencies to support people’s wellbeing.

The provider recruited staff in accordance with regulations and ensured only staff suitable to support people were appointed. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor and continuously improve the service.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for the service under the previous provider and at the previous premises was requires improvement published on 14 March 2019.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service including when the service registered with CQC.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.