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Archived: Care Horizons Limited

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

2440 The Quadrant, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4AQ (01454) 629640

Provided and run by:
Care Horizons Limited

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

3 June 2016

During a routine inspection

Care Horizons Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection seven adults with a range of needs including learning disabilities were receiving personal care.

This inspection took place on 3, 6 and 7 June 2016. Our last full inspection of this service took place on 26 March 2013. At that inspection we found the provider had not provided sufficient training for staff on keeping people safe. The provider sent us an action plan detailing the action they would take to improve this. We then visited the service on 24 June 2013 and saw the provider had taken the required action.

There was a registered manager at the service. 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 received a service that was safe. People were safe from harm because staff were aware of their responsibilities and, knew how to report any concerns. There was enough skilled and experienced staff to safely provide care. Recruitment checks were carried out before staff worked with people to ensure they received care from suitable staff. Risks to people were assessed and action taken to manage these. Where people needed help with medicines they were protected from risks because medicines were safely managed.

The service provided was effective. Staff received the training, supervision and support required to effectively meet people’s needs. The registered manager and staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and, worked to ensure people’s rights were respected. Where people required it, staff supported people to eat and drink. Staff ensured people received assistance from other health and social care professionals when required.

People received a service that was caring. People received care and support from caring and compassionate staff who knew them well. Staff provided the care and support people needed and treated them with dignity and respect. People and, where appropriate, their families were actively involved in making decisions about their care and support.

The service was responsive to people’s needs. People received person centred care and support. The service listened to the views of people using the service and others and made changes as a result. People were supported to participate in a range of activities based upon their assessed needs and wishes.

The service was well-led. The registered manager and senior staff provided effective leadership and management. They had clear vision and values for the service and, had communicated these effectively to people, their relatives, staff and other health and social care professionals. Staff showed a good understanding of the implications of providing care in people’s own homes. Quality monitoring systems were used to further improve the service provided.

24 June 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

When we previously visited the agency in March 2013 we found that not all staff had received training in safeguarding adults from abuse. We carried out this inspection to check that improvements had been made and that staff were up to date with this area of training. Since our visit all staff had either completed or updated training in safeguarding adults from abuse. We found evidence that learning from incidents / investigations took place and appropriate changes had been implemented.

People had been asked regularly for their views about the staff who had supported them with their care.

26 March 2013

During a routine inspection

People we spoke with told us they were involved in the planning of their care and the records we looked at confirmed this. People were given information about the range of services that could be provided, processes involved and other information.

People's care and support was based on assessment and care planning. People were involved and we saw that care plans were signed by the person or their representative. We noted that reviews of care plans had not taken place. People told us they felt the care was 'excellent' with one person describing their carer as 'brilliant'.

Some staff were clear about their responsibility to report abuse however one was less clear. Staff had not received training in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.

Recruitment was sound with good practice in place demonstrated within the staff files we looked at. The agency communicated with staff through letters, emails and face to face contact. Some training had been provided and there was further training planned. The agency had a clear policy relating to the supervision of staff however, these meetings had lapsed.

When we first visited the agency there was no one at the office. We telephoned, and there was an answering machine message. Staff told us they felt unsupported when they could not contact senior staff at times like this and out of hours.

People's views were sought about the quality of service provided and their complaints were listened to and appropriate action was taken.