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Archived: Reading Crossroads Caring For Carers

14 Norcot Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6BU (0118) 945 4209

Provided and run by:
Reading Crossroads Limited

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

14 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We found that the service offered people care that was flexible and met the needs of the carers and cared for. The carers told us that they and the person they cared for were always treated with respect. People told us it was 'an excellent service with excellent carers'.

We found that the service worked with other agencies to ensure people had the best care that suited their needs. People told us that the service always explained to them where they could find additional help, should they need it.

We found that the service did not always complete all the checks of prospective staff so that they could be as sure as possible that they were safe and suitable people to provide care. However, people told us that they always felt 'safe' with the care staff. One person told us that care staff felt more like 'friends than carers'.

We saw that the service had effective ways of checking the standard of care they offered. People told us they had 'no concerns or complaints' about the service. They told us that they would 'know how to make a complaint and feel comfortable to do so, if necessary'.

5 March 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service. They told us that they were involved in the planning of care services and were able to make changes and raise concerns or issues. People told us that support provided was very flexible. One person told us that they didn't know what they would do with out the service and that they couldn't be more pleased.

The people we spoke with told us that staff were on time and always stayed for the right amount of time. They said that if anything needed to change then the office would inform them of what was happening. One person told us that they looked forward to the staff coming and that they were all very nice. Staff told us that they followed care plans which they felt contained adequate information.

The manager and staff were aware of their responsibilities regarding protecting people from abuse. People we spoke with said they felt safe with the support provided. They also told us that they knew how to make a complaint and that they would be listened to and actions would be taken by staff and management. Staff told us that they felt supported and the manager had processes in place to ensure that people were assisted and cared for by trained and experienced staff.

8 February 2012

During a routine inspection

People that used the service and their primary carers were complimentary about the service. They told us the service provided was "invaluable" and "I would be lost without it". People said that the service was flexible and responsive and primary carers told us that it provided them with the opportunity to have "time for myself".

People said that they trusted the staff that appeared well trained and caring. They said that staff always recognised people's rights to privacy, dignity, choice, autonomy and independence and these rights were promoted. People told us they were actively encouraged to be involved in the development of their care plan which was individualised and tailor-made. Medication and health care needs were specifically included and detailed.

People spoke highly of the office staff of Reading Crossroads. They told us that the office dealt efficiently with requests for support and were "good at letting us know if there is any change in carer or if the time of arrival has changed".