Archived: Care As YOU Like It Ltd Also known as Care As You Like It (Three Counties)

Updated 16 April 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 5 February 2016 and it was carried out by one inspector. We gave 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because we needed to be sure that there would be someone in the office.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed information we held about the service, including notifications they had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send to us.

During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager and two senior support workers. We reviewed the care records for six people who used the service, the recruitment and supervision records for four staff, and the training records for all staff employed by the service. We reviewed information on how medicines and complaints were being managed, and how the provider assessed and monitored the quality of the service.

Between the date of the office visit and 22 February 2016, we spoke with a further two care staff, four people who used the service, a relative of one person and a friend of another person. We contacted five professionals who worked closely with the service and we received a response from one of them.

Updated 16 April 2016

We carried out an announced inspection on 5 February 2016. The service provides care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, 19 people were being supported by the service, some of whom were living with chronic health conditions, physical disabilities and dementia.

There was a registered manager in post. 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.

There were risk assessments in place that gave guidance to staff on how risks to people could be minimised. There were systems in place to safeguard people from risk of possible harm. When required, suitable equipment was in place so that people were supported safely.

The provider had effective recruitment processes in place and there was sufficient numbers of staff to support people safely. Staff had received regular supervision and had been effectively trained to meet people’s individual needs.

Staff understood their roles and responsibilities to seek people’s consent prior to care and support being provided. Where people did not have capacity to make decisions and consent to their care, this was provided in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

People were supported by caring, friendly and respectful staff. It was apparent that staff did whatever they could to ensure that people lived happy and fulfilled lives.

People’s needs had been assessed, and care plans took account of their individual needs, preferences, and choices. They were supported to access other health and social care services when required.

The provider had a formal process for handling complaints and concerns. They encouraged feedback from people and acted on the comments received to continuously improve the quality of the service.

The provider had effective quality monitoring processes in place and these had been used effectively to drive continuous improvements. People consistently described the service as ‘excellent’. They had no concerns about how care was provided and how the service was managed. There was good communication between the manager and staff, and this meant that they were able to deal quickly with any issues that arose.