The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: Mears Care - Stockton

Wellington House, Falcon Road, Stockton On Tees, County Durham, TS18 3TS (01642) 603100

Provided and run by:
Cera Care Operations Limited

Important: The provider of this service changed. See old profile
Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

9, 17, 23, 31 January 2014

During a routine inspection

Mears Care has recently ceased to provide care for people using supported living accommodation and has concentrated on the domiciliary service. At the time of our inspection 77 people were receiving services from the agency and for many this was restricted to support with household tasks and making meals. Some people needed support to take medication and a small number of people needed assistance with their personal care. The agency supported privately funded clients, local authority funded clients and people using direct payments.

We spoke with 20% of the people who used the service and all were extremely complementary about the service. People told us that the provider made sure, wherever possible, that they saw the same care worker. We heard that only during staff's annual leave or if they were unwell did different staff come to see them and then the provider had made them aware of the change. People told us that if, on very odd occasions, staff were running late the agency phoned them as soon as they knew there was a problem.

People said "I have absolutely no problems with them at all and find the staff are very punctual", "Last year we had a word with them about trying to get the same carer and this has been put in place", "The staff are always very friendly and polite" and "I find she is very good at her job and always makes me feel at ease".

The branch will be closing at the end of February 2014 but will be continued from a new location in Middlesbrough.

1, 7, 19 February 2013

During a routine inspection

People we spoke with and their relatives told us they had been involved in discussions about the care and support that was needed. They said that they were provided with the care they needed. One person told us, "They are nice girls, I am quite happy with everything.' Another person told us 'They arrive on time and are accommodating if I want them later.' A relative we spoke with told us 'We are very satisfied, I don't know what we would do without them.'

All the people we spoke with said they were treated with dignity and respect by the staff. Staff spoken with were knowledgeable about the needs of the people they supported.

During the inspection we looked at the care records of people who used the service. We found that some support plans were insufficiently detailed to ensure that the care and support needs of the person would be met.

People told us they felt comfortable and safe with their care workers.

We found the agency recruitment procedure to be robust. Appropriate checks were carried out on staff before they started work.

The service had arrangements in place for dealing with complaints. The people we spoke with said they felt able to raise concerns or complaints about the service.

31 January and 2 February 2011

During a routine inspection

People were visited at home or spoken over the phone about the service provided by Mears ' Stockton branch. They are generally positive about the care and support provided. Comments made included,

'The lasses who come here are brilliant, it is a reliable service, and quite happy with how they are'.

'I have a consistent team of carers, I am provided with a rota, they have the knowledge and understanding needed'.

'My main carer can often identify changes to his health before I do, they will tell me that they think he is unwell and advise me to contact the GP'. 'They always report any changes to his condition to me'.

'I am getting the care and support at the times preferable and suitable to m. They know not to come before 9.30pm'. 'They are punctual and stay for the time they are meant to stay'.