All inspections: St Helens and Knowsley Domiciliary Care Service

We saw that people received care and treatment in accordance with their wishes because we observed staff asking and explaining to people what they were doing before they did it. We spent time observing how people were cared for and saw they were relaxed and content. They responded well to staff who were respectful and caring. Staff checked that people were comfortable, explained their interactions and offered them choices. All staff spoken with demonstrated an understanding of people's mental capacity and had been trained in the Mental Capacity Act (2005). Advocates and/or family members were consulted about decisions for people with limited or no capacity and documentation was completed to support those decisions.

Before a person chose to use the service a full assessment of their needs was completed and trial visits were undertaken to see whether the service was suitable for them and their needs could be met. We looked at the care records of seven people we observed and saw that care was delivered in accordance with their needs and risks and that reviews were regularly carried out. Staff were able to describe the needs and risks of the people they supported which meant that care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare.

Staff were appropriately trained in safeguarding and it was evident from discussions that they knew the different types of abuse and who to report incidents to. We saw evidence that the provider obtained all documentation required to identify potential staff and ensure that people were safeguarded against anyone with an inappropriate background or employment history. Regular audits were carried out and feedback was obtained from staff, people who used the service and from relatives to ensure the quality of the service was maintained and regularly improved.

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people supported by St Helens and Knowsley Domiciliary Care Service. This was because many of the people using the service had complex needs which meant they were not able to tell us their experiences. We looked at some feedback on the service by relatives and people who access the service, which was very positive. Some comments made were:

'I get the support I need'.

'I am more than satisfied with the care being given to my son'.

'My daughter is settled and very content and happy'.

We found people were treated with respect and given support to have their say in how they wanted to be helped and were supported to do the things they wanted to do.

The people who accessed the service provided by St Helens and Knowsley Domiciliary Care Service were supported by staff that were appropriately recruited, well trained and experienced at supporting them. The organisation monitored the quality of the service provided on a regular basis.

We spoke to people's advocates and relatives, who told us,

"I am very happy with the care given",

"The girls are second to none, kind and so understanding. They are absolutely essential to both mine and [name of person] life could not and would not want to be without them".

"Always happy and smiling",

"What would life be without them unthinkable I am blessed that they are so good",

"Could not be in better hands" and "I am sure that they keep [name of person] safe. I am confident that the care they give is just as he needs".

Social services told us that there have been safeguarding concerns and these have been appropriately reported and addressed by the service.

Archived: St Helens and Knowsley Domiciliary Care Service

All Inspections

25 October 2013

During a routine inspection

8 January 2013

During a routine inspection

8 March 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns