Archived: A1 Homecare Agency

We found care files were well maintained. Risk assessments included health and safety and manual handling. We noted that likes, dislikes and preferences had been recorded.

We noted the agency recognised diversity and cultural awareness and at the request of the family, only female carers were involved one person's care.

We found staff had been appropriately trained to undertake their roles and responsibilities.

We found staff had undertaken safeguarding training and when we spoke with one staff member, they had a satisfactory understanding of the types of abuse and how to escalate any concerns.

We found the agency undertook satisfaction surveys. We looked at the surveys undertaken in December 2013 and January 2014 and found that all comments were positive.

We found the service had appropriate complaints and accident and incident policies in place, however templates to record these were required.

We found staff were supported by policy and procedure guidance to maintain and retain records. These included a home record policy, access to records and a data protection policy.

We found that consent to the care planned had been obtained and records dated and signed.

We reviewed the care file of the person who was receiving personal care at the time of the inspection. We also requested the daily file to be brought to the office, as we were not able to communicate with this person, as English was not the person's first language and a visit was not appropriate.

We found there was a detailed initial support plan in place, with assessments of risk, that included health and safety and manual handling. we noted that likes and dislikes and preferences had been recorded.

We sampled personal files of the three care staff employed at the time of the inspection. We found staff had been employed safely and effectively and in line with current employment legislation.