Archived: Salter's Hill Home Care & Support

Salter's Hill Home Care & Support is registered to provide personal care.

Salter's Hill Home Care & Support had 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.

People were at risk of receiving care from unsuitable staff because robust recruitment procedures were not being applied.

We heard positive comments about the service such as “the service is one of the best and should be replicated”. One person told us they were “Happy with Salter’s Hill”. A member of staff told us people using the service were “well supported”.

People were enabled to live safely; risks to their safety were identified, assessed and appropriate action taken. People's medicines were safely managed.

People were satisfied with their support and the approach and effectiveness of staff. People's individual needs were known to staff who had achieved positive relationships with them. People were treated with kindness, their privacy and dignity was respected and they were supported to maintain their independence and engage in activities. People were involved in the planning and review of the support they received.

Staff received support to develop knowledge and skills for their role and were positive about their work with people. The registered manager was accessible to people using the service and staff. Systems were in place to check the quality of the service provided including gaining the views of people who used the service, their representatives and staff.

We spoke with three people using the service to find out their views of the agency and the service being provided.

People were satisfied with the service they received from their care workers. Examples of comments made included 'I like the service' and 'we get on well'.

People were involved in planning the care they received and the agency worked with them so that a suitable package of support was put in place for them.

The agency trained their staff and had procedures which protected people from abuse. People told us they did not have any complaints but would speak to the registered manager or staff if they had any concerns. One person said 'I would talk to the manager'. People we spoke with felt safe with the care workers who visited them in their home.

People were protected from the risks of unsuitable staff because the agency had recruitment procedures that ensured they employed the right staff to provide care and support.

People were assisted by staff who were monitored and supervised by the senior staff. People were supported by staff who were trained to understand their needs.

The provider had systems for monitoring the service so that it was suitable and safe. Where action was needed to improve the service this was put in place promptly. People had their information stored confidentially because the service had made the suitable arrangements.

The agency provided a safe service which promoted the wellbeing of people using the service.

Monitoring by senior staff had ensured that staff followed support plans and respected the wishes of people using the service. There were sufficient skilled and experienced staff to safely meet the needs of people who used the service, and to enable the service to accept new referrals. The standard of induction and subsequent training for staff was of a good standard. The standard of quality assurance monitoring of the service provided, to safeguard the people using the service was good.

In summary, this inspection found that Salter's Hill was providing a good standard of care and support to the people using their services.