Archived: Kare Plus Domiciliary Care Agency

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?

We found that people were being supported by care workers who had been through an appropriate checking process. This ensured they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. One care worker said, "I did complete a DBS check". This meant that care workers would only support people once the appropriate checks had been carried out.

Is the service effective?

We found that the appropriate documentation was in place to show that care workers had been recruited appropriately, completed an induction into the service and trained to be able to support people appropriately. The care workers we spoke with told us they were supported in their jobs and had regular supervision with their manager. This meant that care workers had the appropriate support from the provider to be able to meet people's needs effectively.

Is the service caring?

All the care workers we spoke with were able to explain how they supported people and understood how to care for people. One care worker said, "We try to be a ghost so we don't impact on people's independence". Records showed that care workers received a range of training provision to able them to support people. This meant care workers had the skills and knowledge to offer a service that was caring.

Is the service responsive?

We informed the registered manager on arrival why we were inspecting the service and found that they responded to us appropriately offering any support they could provide. The manager and the staff we spoke with we found to be very friendly and professional.

Is the service well-led?

The service was led by a registered manager who had support from a team of other staff based in the office who supported staff to meet the needs of people. All the care workers we spoke with told us that they were supported by staff in the office very well and if they had concerns they could rely on their support. This meant that people could be assured that the service was led appropriately so care workers were able to meet their needs appropriately.

People we spoke with were complimentary about the care and support that they received. One person said: 'They are very good and nothing's too much trouble.' Another person said: 'They are reliable and will help you with what you want doing.'

We found consent had been obtained from people before care had been provided. We also found that steps had been taken to ensure that people received individualised care. Care had been planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare.

Staff had been recruited in an appropriate way and checks had been undertaken that ensured they were suitable to care for vulnerable people.

The provider had audit systems in place to enable them to monitor the quality of the service provided to ensure that people received appropriate care and treatment.

Relatives said the service was reliable and commented, 'Wonderful staff." Families were involved in care planning and gave examples of people's dignity, preferences, religious and cultural needs well met. One relative said staff were often late which affected their family. Spot checks of staff were due to commence.

There was a turnover of managers and staff. Two staff teams worked under two managers. Changes to people's service had been minimised. A recent survey showed satisfaction with the service; five relatives we spoke with agreed. Vacancies had been filled, so the timing/spacing of calls for a few people could be improved.

Managers intended to improve information so that people understood the care and treatment choices available to them. Care plans protected health and welfare and promoted independence where possible. A medication form staff found difficult to complete was to be reviewed.

Staff had ongoing training and felt well supported. They were confident to report any concerns to senior staff, managers or outside agencies. The provider had effective systems to respond to and learn from investigations of possible abuse, complaints and incidents which seldom arose.