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Archived: All Star Care

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Unit 20 Graylands Estate, Langhurstwood Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4QD 07793 405828

Provided and run by:
Miss Katrina Haslett

Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

5 November 2015

During a routine inspection

We inspected All Star Care on the 5 November 2015. All Star Care is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care for a range of people living in their own homes. These included older people and people with a physical impairment. At the time of our inspection the service supported five people and employed four staff.

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.

All Star Care has not been previously inspected. We found areas of practice that required improvement.

Should people lack mental capacity to make specific decisions, the service was guided by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) to ensure any decisions were made in the person’s best interests. However, despite senior staff having appropriate knowledge, we found that care staff had not received formal training around the MCA. This is an area of practice that requires improvement.

Medicines were managed safely and people received the support they required from staff. There were systems in place to ensure that medicines were administered and reviewed appropriately.

The service had good systems in place to keep people safe. Assessments of risks to people had been developed and reviewed. The service employed enough, qualified and trained staff, and ensured safety through appropriate recruitment practices.

People said they always got their care visit, they were happy with the care and the staff that supported them. One person told us, “It’s a very good service. They are very helpful, they do what I want”.

People told us they were involved in the planning and review of their care. We were given examples that showed the service had followed good practice and safe procedures in order to keep people safe.

Staff received an induction, basic training and additional specialist training in areas such as dementia care, nutrition and first aid. Staff had group and one to one meetings which were held regularly, in order for them to discuss their role and share any information or concerns.

If needed, people were supported with their food and drink and this was monitored if required.

The needs and choices of people had been clearly documented in their care plans. Where people’s needs changed the service acted quickly to ensure the person received the care and support they required. A member of staff told us, “We know our clients, and you can tell if they are not quite right”.

People and their family members told us they were supported by kind and caring staff. A person told us, “They are very caring and respectful to me”. Another said “Oh yes, they are very kind. My son was impressed with them. Very kind”. Staff were able to tell us about the people they supported, for example their personal histories and their interests.

People’s personal preferences, likes and dislikes were recorded on file and staff encouraged people to be involved in their care. A person told us, “Yes, the care I get is what I agreed and want”.

People knew how to raise concerns or complaints. People and their relatives were regularly consulted by the provider using surveys and meetings. A person told us, “I had a questionnaire and filled it out recently”.

The registered manager provided good leadership and support to the staff. One member of staff told us, “I’ve been able to approach [the registered manager] with anything, she has been really supportive with me”.

Quality assurance was undertaken by the provider to measure and monitor the standard of the service provided.

21 March 2013

During a routine inspection

People who used the service told us they were treated with respect and consideration and that they were encouraged to express their views and talk about the care and support they needed. One person told us 'I was involved in the planning of my care, the manager went though it with me, and I call the office if I need to discuss anything.' Another person told us 'The staff are all friendly and treat me very well; they are very helpful and kind!' People told us that they knew about the complaints procedure and had been told how to make a complaint about the service they received. One person told us 'I have been told about the complaints procedure and someone explained to me how I used it, but I have never needed to.'

Staff we spoke to demonstrated a good knowledge of the providers safeguarding policies and clearly explained how to recognise and report suspected abuse. Staff told us the supervision and regular staff meetings enabled them to provide a good quality service to people. One care worker told us 'I feel confident to deliver the care needs of the people I support and the manager has supported me to improve both my knowledge and skills.' People were complimentary about the provider and the quality of the care they received and spoke positively about the professionalism of care staff. One person told us 'I am very happy with the service I receive, all the staff are professional in their approach and are able to support my needs.'

13 September 2012

During a routine inspection

People supported by Star Care said they were satisfied with the support and care they received from staff.

People we spoke with told us they were involved in making decisions about the care they received. They said they felt able to say what they wanted and that staff would accommodate their needs.

Service users told us they felt the staff always respected their privacy and dignity and that the staff helped them to remain as independent as possible.