Archived: Polkadot Care Limited (Bridlington Branch)

Our inspector visited the service and the information they collected helped answer three of our five questions: Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well-led? Below is a summary of what we found.

The summary is based on our observations during the inspection. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

Records for people who used the service were safely stored and accessible.

Staff could access the records they needed to manage the service and help make sure peoples' needs were met.

Is the service effective?

Not applicable.

Is the service caring?

Not applicable

Is the service responsive?

Not applicable

Is the service well-led?

There was no registered manager in post. However, staff could now access the premises. Documents were available and held securely.

Our inspector visited the service and the information they collected helped answer three of our five questions: Is the service safe? Is the service effective? Is the service caring? Is the service responsive? Is the service well-led? Below is a summary of what we found. The summary is based on our observations during the inspection, speaking with people using the service and speaking with the staff supporting them. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.

Is the service safe?

Care plans and staff records were locked in the agency office and could not be accessed. Staff had obtained the documents they needed to ensure the day to day running of the service but in doing so had created a breach of confidentiality. Staff had not received the updated training that had been agreed with the Commission and the local authority.

Is the service effective?

Not applicable.

Is the service caring?

People told us that staff were caring and reliable and that they received the service that had been agreed with them.

Is the service responsive?

Not applicable

Is the service well-led?

There was no registered manager in post. The premises were not accessible to staff and the service was being operated from a staff member's car and home address. This raised concerns about confidentiality and security of information. We were not able to access the records we needed to carry out the inspection in any detail.

We have asked the provider to tell us what they are going to do to meet the requirements of the law in relation to the security of information and ensuring that people receive a safe and well planned service.

People told us that they felt staff listened to them and asked their consent before offering any support.

Systems were in place to support people through a care planning process which included an assessment of need involving the person. This included practices to help ensure that staff were aware of people's needs.

People were supported by staff that had been employed using a recruitment process which included checks on their previous experience and suitability for their role to ensure that vulnerable people were protected.

Quality assurance and recording systems were in place to ensure that records and documents in the home were completed and handled correctly. People were consulted about their care and systems were in place to audit service provision.

Data protection procedures were in place and had been amended to ensure that people's personal information was handled appropriately.

People who used the service told us they felt safe with the carers and that each carer had an identification badge to show who they were and that they worked for Polkadot Care Limited. They told us that new staff were introduced to them before they made any calls on their own.

Staff told us that they have supervision every three months. A senior member of staff shadowed them on a regular basis as part of the supervision process. Staff told us that supervision allowed them to discuss their jobs and how they were getting on.

Discussion with four people indicated that they were aware of the complaints process. They all expressed confidence that if they did raise any concerns they would be dealt with appropriately. People who used the service thought the service provided was excellent, although one person spoken with was not happy with the service they had received.