The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Caring Companions of Essex

30B Crown Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 4BA (01277) 204453

Provided and run by:
Marilyn Jane Clarke

All Inspections

19 November 2013

During a routine inspection

The provider has recently moved offices to 6 Crown Street, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4BA. They have submitted all of the relevant information to the Care Quality Commission and we are in the process of updating our records.

We found that there were suitable procedures in place to obtain people's consent to the care that they received.

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. Detailed risk assessments were completed which were intended to ensure the safety and welfare of the person who used the service.

People were protected against the risks associated with medicines because the provider had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines.

Documents showed that new staff completed an induction prior to working independently. Checks were undertaken to intend to ensure that new employees were of good character.

We saw that annual feedback forms were completed with the person who used the service. The comments raised mostly positive. One comment read, 'Any issues are always dealt with such as if they don't get on with a carer [the registered manager] will not send them in or only in emergencies when there are no other members [of staff] to send.' The provider regularly assessed and monitored the quality of the services provided.

6 February 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

This inspection took place to check if the provider had made improvements to their records following our last inspection in December 2012. The provider had already sent us evidence to show the improvements made to record the training and support provided to new staff that joined the service.

We did not speak with people using the service as part of this inspection. We visited the provider's office and checked the care records of three people using the service. We found that improvements had been made and the records were suitable and fit for purpose.

4 December 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke by telephone with three people who use the service and three relatives. We also spoke with two staff. All the people spoken with told us they were satisfied with the service provided to them or their relative. They felt that their dignity was respected and that they were listened to.

People's views and experiences were taken into account in the way the service was provided and delivered in relation to their care. One relative said, 'They visited and asked about (person's] needs and preferences. The staff are professional and they listened to us. They are responsive to [person's] needs and respond promptly when they need support.'

People told us they felt safe and comfortable with staff from the service. All of the people we spoke with knew the provider by first name and told us they would feel able to say if there was anything that they were unhappy about. Records seen at the provider's office showed that people's views were listened to and acted upon.

We found that some of the provider's records were not accurate and fit for purpose. This included care plans and records of staff induction.

People spoke highly of the staff who supported them. They said they had regular staff and the consistency this offered mattered to them. People told us they found the service to be responsive, reliable and flexible. We found that staff had been provided with training and felt well supported.

16 February 2011

During a routine inspection

People with whom we spoke told us that their privacy and dignity was respected and their views are taken into account.

People using the service told us that they were satisfied with the level of care and support they received from Caring Companions. One person with whom we spoke told us 'The care is very good'. A relative told us 'We are very satisfied with the care and service provided'. People with whom we spoke were also satisfied with the support they received with their meals. One person said and 'They know what I like at breakfast and I am happy with that'.

People using the service told us they felt safe with the staff from Caring Companions. One person said 'I know the staff that come and so I feel safe'.

People using the service told us that staff maintained good standards of hygiene. One person said 'They always wear their gloves'. A relative told us 'The first thing they do is wash their hands' and that staff 'Always wear gloves and aprons'.

People told us that, where necessary, staff supported them to take their medications. One person said 'They remind me with some and then my family do the others'. Another person told us 'They do not help me with medication, I do that myself'.

People using the service told us that there were enough staff to support them consistently with their needs. One person said 'They come when they should, I know the staff, they know where everything is, they are very good indeed'. A relative with whom we spoke told us that the staff were familiar and known to them by name, they really got on well with the person using the service and that they were 'Very reliable and very caring'.

People using the service told us that they would feel confident to raise any concerns or tell staff if they were not happy with something. One person said 'I would feel able to say so if something was not right'. A relative with whom we spoke told us that they would feel able to any concerns and where they had raised the odd minor issue it was actioned very quickly by the owner.