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Archived: ICare Solutions Chorlton

123 Egerton Road South, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M21 0XN (0161) 882 0404

Provided and run by:
ICare Solutions Limited

All Inspections

21 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service when. They told us they were involved in how they would be cared for, had their views listened to and acted upon. Comments included "I'm very happy with the care, the staff are lovely", "no problems at all, they always listen to me". All of the people we spoke with were aware of care plans and documentation and felt these took into account their wishes and preferences. This meant that people's independence and dignity were respected.

We saw that care plans included risk assessments and were personalised. This meant that people using the service experienced care and support that met their needs. Training programmes and supervision processes for all staff were in place. There were enough skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs.

15 January 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with two people as part of our inspection process. The people we spoke with told us they were happy with the care and support they received. They told us that staff carried out their care with respect and sensitivity. One person said, "Staff are friendly and I trust them to deliver good care'. Another person said, "I Care Solutions staff are excellent, polite and cheerful.'

People using the agency told us the senior staff had visited them to find out what care and support they needed and when they wanted it provided. They said they kept their care records in their home. One person told us that the staff referred to the file to make sure there were no changes to their care.

12 March 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four people during our visit. The people we spoke with told us they were happy with the care and support they received. They told us that staff carry out their care respectfully and sensitively. One person said, "Staff are so friendly and helpful, nothing is too much trouble'. Another person said, "I Care Solutions staff are excellent and always polite and cheerful.'

People using the agency told us the senior staff had visited them to find out what care and support they needed and when they wanted it provided. They said they kept their care records in their home. One person told us that the staff referred to the file to make sure there were no changes to care and wrote about the care they had carried out.

People using the agency were very happy with the service they received and one person said that I Care Solutions staff were the best staff, they had ever had caring for them. People said staff were good and helpful. One person told us, 'I moved from another agency as they made it seem like they were doing me a favour supporting me and I had to fit in with them. I Care Solutions staff visit me at the times I want them to and support me in the way I like. They are great. They are always helpful and willing to come at a different time if I want them to'.

People spoken with said that staff always put themselves out to give the best service to them. We asked if people had the same staff to support them. People said that they had the same group of staff unless there was an emergency and even then they would know the person a little. One person said, 'If there are ever any changes to the staff, the managers ring me to let me know. It is easier for me to deal with then'.

The people who received support from I Care Solutions are either on direct payments or are private clients who pay for their own support. People spoken with said they felt this made a big difference as the agency knew they could move elsewhere if they were unhappy with the service they received. One person said, 'If staff didn't support me as I wanted I would tell them but if it didn't improve I would move agencies' They then added, 'I have never needed to complain about anything with I Care Solutions as they always do everything they can to help me'. Another person said, 'I had to move agencies which I was unhappy about, but I am glad now as I Care Solutions are much better.'

We asked people using the agency about the care and support they received. People said that staff almost always arrived on time but on the few occasions that they might be late they rang to let them to let them know so they weren't worrying that someone might not turn up.

People we spoke with said the staff were good and they felt safe with them. One person said, 'I know I can trust them to support me properly.'

Staff said they were well supported by the directors and senior staff could ask for advice and discuss any issues whenever they arose. They also told us they had regular supervision when they could discuss where they thought they could use their skills and where they needed some extra help or training.

Staff told us they had frequent training. One person said 'The managers will always get us on good training and we get regular refreshers'. Another person said 'They are looking to get me on NVQ training (a national qualification in care) as soon as they can'. Other staff we spoke with felt the training they were receiving provided them with the skills and knowledge to support people well.

People spoken with said they felt the small size of the service meant they knew the directors and senior staff and it was easy to speak to them if they were unhappy with something. One person said senior staff listened and acted on any requests for a change of staff, if the person felt the care was not working well.

Several staff told us that staff were expected to give the best care they could and this gave them pride in their work. One person told us that anyone who was not committed to good care left the agency quickly as they realised that they were expected to give of their best and support people well.