We carried out a review of the data available to us about Wyre Domiciliary Service on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Wyre Domiciliary Service, you can give feedback on this service.
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides a supported living service to people with learning difficulties within their own homes across the areas Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton and Poulton so they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
The main office is located at Larkholme Avenue in Fleetwood. At the time of our inspection visit Wyre Domiciliary Service provided support to 34 people.
At our last inspection in November 2015 the service was rated as good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
We found quality audits were carried out to identify if improvements were required and people were asked their views on the service provided. We asked the registered manager how often they carried out their checks. They said there was no specific timescale in place at present and they were in the process of addressing this. We have made a recommendation about the scheduling and recording of audits.
We found processes were in place to ensure people's rights were protected and referrals to social workers were carried out to ensure appropriate applications were made to deprive people of their liberty.
We found records contained person centred information to support staff to deliver care and staff knew the help and care people needed to live fulfilling lives. Staff spoke fondly of the people they supported and said they wanted to enable people to live independently in their own homes. We were told, “I’m proud to work with the guys. You can’t help but build relationships with the people here. I like them and what I do.”
We found medicines were managed safely and people told us they were happy with the way their medicines were managed.
If accidents or incidents occurred checks and investigations were carried out to identify where improvements were required. Staff told us they were informed of the outcomes of these.
People told us they felt respected and valued and they considered staff to be patient and caring. One person told us, “I like the staff. They’re my friends.”
Relatives told us they were consulted and involved in their family members care. People we spoke with confirmed they were involved in their care planning if they wished to be.
Staff we spoke with were able to describe the help and support people required to maintain their safety and people who received support told us they felt safe. Staff were trained to ensure their knowledge was in line with best practice.
People told us they were supported to access healthcare professionals if this was needed. Relatives we spoke with also confirmed staff supported their family members to gain medical advice if this was required. One relative told us, “I’m delighted with the care.”
People told us they could raise their views on the service provided and there was a complaints procedure for people and relatives to use if they wished. At the time of the inspection no complaints had been made about the service.
Staff supported people to have a nutritious dietary and fluid intake. Assistance was provided in preparation of food and drinks as they needed. Staff told us they would report any concerns regarding nutrition and hydration so action could be taken.
Staff told us that they had received training in the risk and control of infection. We saw personal protective equipment was available for use if this was needed. This minimised the risk and spread of infection.
Staff told us they were committed to protecting people from abuse and would raise any concerns with the registered manager or the Lancashire Safeguarding Authorities so people were protected. One staff member commented, “Safeguarding goes to my manager but I would report to safe guarding if I needed. I’m protected by whistle blowing.”
Recruitment checks were carried out to ensure suitable people were employed to work at the service and staff told us they were supported to attend training to maintain and increase their skills.
There were sufficient staff to support people. People and relatives, we spoke with told us they were happy with the staffing arrangements. Staff we spoke with raised no concerns with the staffing provision.
Staff told us that at the current time, they were not supporting anyone with End of Life care needs. They told us and we saw that training was available and could be accessed as required. Staff told us they were confident they would be able to meet people’s needs.
This inspection visit took place at Wyre Domiciliary Service on 17 November 2015 and was announced. We told the registered manager one day before our visit that we would be coming. We did this to ensure we had access to the main office and the management team were available.
Wyre Domiciliary Service is one of a number of services provided by Lancashire County Council.
The domiciliary agency office is based in a large multi occupied building in Thornton Cleveleys. The agency cares for adults with learning disabilities in supported tenancy schemes in a number of houses. Areas they provided support included, Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys. The service provides care and support 24 hours a day.
There was a registered manager in place. 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.
We found staff were trained well, had a good knowledge of how to protect people and raise any concerns about poor practice should they need to.
People were kept safe and secure in the supported tenancy schemes. There were appropriate numbers of staff deployed in the tenancy schemes to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service. Staff had been safely recruited to ensure people would be supported by suitable employees. One staff member said about the procedure for recruitment, “Very good I was not allowed to start until everything had been checked.”
People were supported by caring staff who were supportive and compassionate. One person who lived in the tenancy scheme said, “They are so kind.” Staff had a good understanding of protecting people’s dignity and privacy. We observed staff were friendly, respectful and caring towards individuals.
Staff knew people they were supporting and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be cared for. Relatives and people who lived in the supported tenancy schemes said they were involved in making decisions about their care.
Staff responsible for assisting people with their medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required.
People were supported to eat and drink and were encouraged to attend to their own dietary requirements as much as possible. Support and guidance was always available at mealtimes.
Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and liaised with their GP and other healthcare professionals as required to meet people’s needs.
People were provided with support and guidance to meet their aims and goals. For example one person who lived in one of the supported tenancy schemes attended the ‘willow project’. This was a project where people learned all about gardening skills. This demonstrated the service worked with people to follow chosen interests.
We found a number of audits were in place to monitor quality assurance. The registered manager had systems in place to obtain the views of people who lived in the supported tenancy schemes and their relatives.
The people we spoke with told us they were happy and felt well supported by staff. Comments included; 'I'm happy here. I like to get out with the staff' and 'I have my own space living here. The staff are nice' and 'I like living here. I can go out to the pub and into town when I want'.
We looked at the systems in place to ensure medicines were stored, administered and disposed of in a safe manner. One person told us; 'I always get my tablets. The staff help with that'.
We found staff had been recruited appropriately. We looked at four staff personnel records and found references had been obtained and criminal records bureau (CRB) checks undertaken.
As part of our inspection we looked at the quality monitoring systems in place. This included regular audits being undertaken and complaints responded to appropriately.
We used postal surveys, telephone interviews and home visits to people who used the service and to their main carers (a relative or friends) to gain views about the service.
We were able to contact five people. People we spoke with made positive comments about the care and support they received from Wyre Domiciliary Service. They said they understood the care and choices available to them and that they were involved in making decisions about the care and support they received.
They said staff explained to them what the choices were and assisted them to make decisions about activities of daily life.
People made comments that included:-
'Staff are always available to help us'; 'Our carers are wonderful'; 'Staff treat us well'; 'Staff have been good in helping my relative to dress as she wants and assist her to buy clothes that are smart and functional.'
People told us that staff worked in the same houses and therefore people tend to have the same care worker which makes it feel like a family.
Everyone we spoke with said they had a care folder with all the details of their assessments and goals. Comments from people included: 'I like the way I am looked after it is how I want it to be' and 'Since we have been here we have been able to tell staff what we want and they help us to do it.'
We were told that people felt able to express their views and make choices about their care and support, comments included: "Staff ask me if everything is alright and I tell them it is' and 'The current carers are excellent and have become my relatives best friends. We have noticed a major difference in her both mentally and physically since she has joined this house.'
People said that they felt safe in their home and they did not feel threatened or concerned when the care workers were around. Whilst people were not fully able to demonstrate their understanding of safeguarding they had an understanding of what they should do if they had any concerns about their care and support within their homes.
People we spoke with said they felt fully supported by the care staff.
Comments from people included: 'Staff are kind'; 'Staff are good and help me'; 'The staff are my friends' and 'The workers who provide care in my house on a regular basis really are excellent all round carers.'