Archived: AC Homecare Limited

AC Homecare is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 15 people, many of whom were older people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were protected from the risk of harm including potential abuse. Risks to people from potential accident, injury and health concerns were managed effectively. People received their medicines as prescribed.

People were supported by sufficient numbers of staff who had been recruited safely. Care staff had effective training and the provider ensured the staff team had the skills required to support people effectively.

People’s needs were assessed thoroughly and the provider ensured people’s care was delivered in line with current guidelines and legislation. People were supported to live their day to day lives as healthily as possible. People were supported to gain access to healthcare professionals in a timely way whenever needed.

People were supported by a staff team who were committed to providing high quality, person-centred care. Care staff were kind and caring towards people and promoted their dignity and independence. People received support based on their individuals needs and preferences. People were fully involved in developing their care.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The provider had developed an open, honest and transparent culture within the service. People were able to raise complaints and concerns if needed and the provider actively sought people’s feedback about the service. Quality assurance and governance systems were in place in order to identify areas of improvement required. The provider was committed to continually developing the service and making ongoing improvements to ensure people received high quality care.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (report published 06 October 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

AC Homecare Limited are registered to deliver personal care. They provide Domiciliary care to older people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 12 people received personal care from the provider.

The service had a registered manager. 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.’

Care staff supported people in a way that made them feel safe. Staff knew the procedures they should follow if they witnessed or suspected that a person was being abused or harmed. People and staff we spoke with knew who to contact to report any concerns, including how to escalate any concerns out of hours. Criminal records checks were acquired prior to people commencing work. People were supported to take their medication in a safe way, at the appropriate times. People received the support they needed by staff they were familiar with and did not experienced any significant delays in receiving their care. Staff were fully informed of any new or potential risks before supporting a person.

Staff had the skills and knowledge required to support people effectively. Staff were provided with an induction before working for the service and also had their competency in relation to care provision periodically observed. Staff had been trained in a range of subjects relevant to the people using the service and those that were due for updates had upcoming dates for these to be completed. Staff knew how to support people in line with the Mental Capacity Act and gained their consent before assisting or supporting them. Care staff prepared meals that people had selected and knew how to support them according to their nutritional and dietary needs. Staff knew who to contact should they have any concerns about the health of the people they were supporting.

People’s preferences for how they wished to receive support were known and always considered by the care staff. People were involved in making decisions about their care and how it was to be delivered. People felt listened to, had the information they needed and were consulted about their care. Staff provided dignified and respectful care in a way that maintained people’s dignity. People were encouraged to maintain their optimum level of independence with staff there ready to support them if they needed help.

Staff were knowledgeable about people’s needs and knew the importance of providing them with personalised care, that met their preferences. Staff considered all aspects of people’s well-being when supporting them and knew how peoples more diverse needs should be met. People knew how to raise complaints or concerns and felt that they would be listened to and the appropriate action would be taken.

People were happy with the service they received and felt the service was led and managed well. Staff were well supported in their roles with a clear management structure. Staff were able to speak openly or make suggestions for improvement and were listened to. Staff understood the values of the service and there was a culture of openness and support for all individuals involved in the service. The provider was keen to get feedback from people using the service and periodically contacted them to ask for their views about the care they received. Some of the records we reviewed in relation to the quality and monitoring of the service lacked detail and/or a timely update.