1 February 2017
During a routine inspection
The service is registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing support and personal care to 4 people in their own homes.
There was a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People felt safe when supported by staff in their own home and were confident that staff knew how to keep them safe from harm. Staff were aware of the risks to people on a daily basis but this information was not always documented.
Staff had received training in how to keep people safe and recognise any signs of abuse. Where safeguarding concerns had been raised, lessons had been learnt and acted upon.
There was no system in place to monitor the timing and length of calls and whilst some people had no complaints regarding their calls, others raised concerns that sometimes staff did not stay for the agreed length of time.
Systems were in place to ensure staff were recruited safely and the relevant checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) took place prior to staff commencing in post.
Staff felt well supported in their role and benefitted from an induction that provided them with skills they required to meet people’s needs effectively. Staff routinely obtained people’s consent prior to supporting them but their understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 was limited.
Staff were aware of people’s healthcare needs and supported people to access healthcare services that would help them maintain good health and wellbeing.
People spoke positively about the staff who supported them and described them as kind and caring. Staff supported people in a way that maintained their privacy and dignity. People were involved in the planning of their care and were supported to make their own decisions.
People’s care needs were regularly reviewed and they were involved in this process. People were supported in line with their individual needs and wishes and by staff who were responsive to their needs. People were confident that if they did raise any concerns, they would be dealt with appropriately.
People and staff spoke positively about the service and considered it to be well led. Staff felt supported and listened to and were confident that if they raised any concerns they would be dealt with appropriately. People’s opinion of the service was regularly sought. Audits in place had failed to identify some deficiencies in paperwork that were highlighted during the inspection.