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Archived: Dial-A-Carer Service

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Hallmark House, 25 Downham Road, Ramsden Heath, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1PU (01268) 711044

Provided and run by:
Mrs Elizabeth Forbes-Stobbe

All Inspections

30 November 2015

During a routine inspection

We carried out an announced inspection on 30 November 2015.

Dial-A-Carer Service provides a domiciliary care service and is registered to deliver personal care and treatment of disease, disorder or injury to people in their own homes. On the day of our inspection, there were 10 people using the service and nine staff supporting them.

A registered manager was not in place as one was not required under the registration requirements with the Commission.

The service had appropriate systems in place to protect people from harm and uphold their rights. Staff had a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures and were clear about the actions they would take to protect the people they supported.

People’s medicines were given to them safely and in a timely way.

Risks to people’s health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed, managed and reviewed. Support plans were sufficiently detailed and provided an accurate description of people’s care and support needs.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s needs. A recruitment process was in place to protect people and staff had been recruited safely. Staff had the right skills and knowledge to provide care and support to people.

Staff told us that they felt well supported in their role and received regular supervision and support.

People were supported to be able to eat and drink satisfactory amounts to meet their nutritional needs. People were treated with kindness and respect by staff and their dignity was maintained.

Staff understood people’s needs and provided care and support accordingly. Caring relationships had been developed and people were fully involved in their care arrangements.

Overall, quality assurance arrangements were in place but the recording of audits required some improvement. There was a system for responding to complaints and concerns. The visible leadership of the service showed that person centred care was being delivered to people who used the service.

9 December 2013

During a routine inspection

As part of our inspection we spoke with two people receiving support from the service and five relatives of people using the service. The people we spoke with were both very complimentary about the care and support they received. Relatives told us that staff seemed well trained, were punctual and stayed the agreed time. They said that there was generally good continuity, with a small group of staff providing the care and support. One person receiving the service told us: 'Staff are extremely helpful and respectful. They do what I ask them to do and do it in the way that I like it done.' A relative told us: 'Dial-A-Carer is leagues ahead of the other company we've used. They have a high level of professionalism.' Another told us: 'I'm very happy with the service. I have recommended them to several other people.'

People were treated respectfully and their independence was supported and encouraged. They received care and support that met their needs. There were systems in place to protect people from poor practices or abuse. Staff received support and training to enable them to meet people's individual needs. The agency had systems to monitor the standards within the service and these were continuing to be developed.

5 September 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

On this occasion we were only able to speak with relatives and carers of the people using the service. They all told us that they were satisfied with the care provided by the agency and that they had no complaints, but knew how to complain should the need arise. One person said 'I am quite happy, they seem to cover everything that they should'.

6 June 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

People using the service were satisfied overall with the care provided. They said that the staff were courteous and respectful. Some people using the service and their families had concerns about shifts not being covered and a limited on call service.

10 August 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We did not speak to service users as part of this review. Feedback noted within the agency's own internal quality review, was seen to be positive and people were happy with the care staff and the service they were receiving.

17 March 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

People using the service told us that the staff are kind and they are happy with the service. We were told that the standard of care was good. They said that they have a number to use to contact the service 'out of hours'.

People with whom we spoke told us that staff were on time and do not usually cancel their visits. We were told that the staff are reliable usually stay the allotted time and, if they do leave early, it is only just before they are due to go. We were told that the agency does not cancel visits but sometimes changes the expected carer at short notice, although people usually get the same care staff, as far as is possible. The people with whom we spoke told us that the manager of the service is helpful.

On occasions, new staff attend visits alongside permanent staff whilst learning what to do. The people with whom we spoke said that they get little notice of this and they would like to know that this is going to happen. Sometimes, this has upset people who use the service.

One person told us they had not been asked what they thought about the service but said that staff do ask if there is anything else that they needed. Another person told us that they completed a questionnaire at the end of last year but have not heard anything since.

People with whom we spoke said that they knew how to raise a complaint and that they had information to refer to.