The Care Quality Commission
  • Services in your home
  • Homecare service

Archived: Ashwood Care

67 Sankey Street, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1SL (01925) 633417

Provided and run by:
Ashwood Home Care Limited

All Inspections

10, 12, 13 June 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We considered our inspection findings to answer questions we always ask;

' Is the service safe?

' Is the service effective?

' Is the service caring?

' Is the service responsive?

' Is the service well-led?

This is a summary of what we found-

Is the service safe?

Staff had received training in safeguarding and felt confident in being able to maintain people's safety.

In house training events had been arranged which included risk assessment and dementia care. This enabled staff to minimise risk and undertake safe care practices.

Is the service effective?

People told us they were happy with the care that had been provided and they felt their needs were being met. We observed the support being provided and saw examples of good communication and interaction between staff and people who used the service.

People told us that staff always read the care plans before carrying out any duties. Staff discussed the individual needs of people they supported. Staff described the support they provided on a day to day basis including daily choices and they were knowledgeable about people's needs and requests.

People's relatives told us that the service was effective and met all assessed needs.

Is the service caring?

We observed staff interacting well with people who used the service. Staff were friendly and helpful to the people they were supporting. We observed that people being supported were relaxed and happy in the company of their staff.

Comments received were all positive and included, "staff are very good and help me a lot", "staff assist me with all my personal care and never let me down", "the staff provide very good care" and "they usually turn up on time but if they have been delayed they always ring me to let me know they will be a bit late".

Is the service responsive?

People who used the service had a detailed care plan in place to help to show how their needs would be met. These records were detailed and showed that people's choices and diverse needs were identified and care plans were regularly reviewed. The people we spoke with who used the service appeared to be happy and relaxed with their care. Those who were able to discuss arrangements made for their care told us that they were happy and content with the manner in which their care and support was provided. Feedback from people's relatives also confirmed that people were pleased with the services provided. One relative told us that in the past the staff were not very reliable but now things had changed very much for the better.

Is the service well-led?

People who used the service and their relatives told us they were always kept informed and updated regarding all support and care needs and discussions, spot checks and reviews were in place to see if any changes were needed.

21 March 2014

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We visited Bluebird Care Warrington as a follow up to our last inspection during which we had concerns about two outcomes, supporting staff and care and welfare.

We spoke with staff who told us that the agency had changed the staff rota systems and had provided staff with travelling time between calls. They said that this had assisted staff to ensure all calls were provided as per the choices of the people who used the service. However staff said that calls were still sometimes late and on occasions calls were missed.

We were provided with feedback and details of Bluebird staff rotas, staff supervision, care records and staff training by the Service Manager and senior staff. This enabled us to review the actions undertaken in relation to the areas of concern identified at the last inspection.

Feedback from people who use the services of Bluebird Care indicated that there had been a slight improvement in the timing and regularity of calls. However although there appeared to be some improvement people continue to express concerns about the service.

Staff told us that they had been provided with training and support and records identified that staff supervision was in place. Staff said the pre-arranged supervision sessions enabled them to discuss training needs and address their personal development. Current records looked at showed that staff supervisions had been put in place but there was an inconsistency in the timing of the meetings.

17 December 2013

During a routine inspection

The people we spoke with told us that they had been involved in the planning of their care and staff were kind and helpful. They told us they were grateful for the support they received. Comments included; "the staff are good and have never let me down, although they do not always turn up on time"; "staff give me the care and support I need"; "staff are kind and respectful to me and provide me with good care although we do not have consistency of carers" and "they look after me well." People told us that staff did not always arrive on time. However they said staff generally stayed for the full length of time and checked all was well before leaving. People said that the traffic conditions in Warrington created many problems with carers timekeeping.

Staff told us they had received training in safeguarding people. However they said that staff were not always provided with manageable staff rotas or sufficient training to enable them to carry out personalised needs led care.

People were provided with the agency complaints policy and knew what to do if they need to express any concerns.

27 December 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke with seven people who used the agency and asked them about their experiences of how the service involved them and kept them informed. They said they were given an information pack about the service and staff were introduced to them before the service commenced.

One person said 'Staff always treat me with respect'.

Other comments included; 'Staff give me choices in everything they do and make sure it is what I want', 'Staff asked me what services I needed and we agreed how they would be carried out'. People said that staff ask what they wished to be called which they said was nice. Comments included 'Staff are friendly and make me feel at ease', 'The staff treat me well and I am totally comfortable with them'.

Everyone we spoke with said they had a care folder with all the details of their

assessment and care needs. Comments from people included "I was able to tell them what I wanted", "I felt I was listened to", "My father and I were included in drawing up the plan.'

We were told that people felt able to express their views and make choices about their care and support, comments included "I like to get to know my carers and enable them to get to know me. We do not always get the same carers but they all know what to do", 'Staff always do what I ask some are better than others but they are all fine'.

"Staff vary in terms of experience; however they all do a good job'.

'Some of the younger ones don't understand us as well as the others but they are certainly still very capable", The staff have lots of training and are able to provide good care and support'.

29 December 2011

During a routine inspection

We asked people who use the agency about their experiences of the service.

They said staff worked with people to make sure they got the service they wanted. They told us that staff are very reliable, well trained and hard working.

One person said 'The agency have been very explicit about what they can and cannot do so we know exactly what to expect'.

Other comments included; 'Staff treat both me and my family with dignity and respect', 'Staff ask me how I want to be assisted, that makes me feel valued'. Staff are 'fantastic, well trained people who really care about what they do'.

People told us they received consistent care and support from caring staff. Comments included: 'Staff know what my needs are as we discussed them before the service commenced', 'Staff are kind and supportive to me and my family', 'I have used many agencies in the past and this is the best one by far. They certainly know what they are doing'.