Archived: SOS Home Services

We spoke with four care workers, one supervisor and the manager during our visit. Staff told us they liked working for the agency. One care worker told us, 'It's like working as a family, all the staff are nice.' Another care worker said, 'We offer continuity support and care.' Staff told us they received induction training when they were new and on-going training to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. They felt supported to carry out their role in a caring way.

We looked at the systems in place to ensure that the equipment available to support people was safe to use and regularly maintained. We found records that showed routine checks were carried out.

There were quality assurance processes in place that monitored the service that was provided and the care workers performance to ensure that required standards were met and maintained.

We checked that improvements had been made to record keeping and found that medication records and daily records were up to date and detailed.

People told us they were asked for their consent by the care workers who visited them. They told us that staff knew how to look after them. One person told us, 'I have a regular person and they get used to what I need doing.' Four people told us their care plans were regularly reviewed.

People told us that they were treated with dignity and respect. Two people told us they had made a complaint and their concerns had been dealt with appropriately.

Staff told us that they worked with the same people most of the time. They were able to build up a good working relationship with people. The staff told us that there was a good team atmosphere and they felt supported to do their job.

We looked at the processes the provider had in place to support people with the administration of their medications. There was a policy in place. Training in medication administration was provided for staff.

We found that record keeping was not always up to date. Four of the six medication records that we reviewed had inaccurate and incomplete information in them. People could be at risk from inappropriate care.