All inspections: Beeches Homecare - Malmesbury

We visited Beeches Homecare - Corsham in October 2012 and April 2013 when we identified ongoing concerns with regard to recruitment procedures and inadequate systems to monitor quality and safety of the service. We found staff were not up to date with training in essential subjects and were not regularly supervised. We issued a warning notice which required the agency to take immediate action to address this area of concern.

When we returned in July 2013 we found that new systems had been introduced to support the monitoring of staff training and supervision. However we still found inconsistencies with training records and the need for shortfalls to be addressed.

At a further visit in September 2013 we found a more robust approach to recruitment procedures and there were improved systems in place to monitor quality and safety.

Beeches Homecare - Corsham was deregistered in November 2013. The service provided to people in this area has continued under the management of the Beeches Homecare- Malmesbury agency.

We visited the agency in December 2013 and were pleased to see progress in the regular supervision of staff and with staff trained in essential subjects. A training plan had been updated setting out the arrangements for staff to be trained in these areas and for further training and development opportunities.

We visited the agency's office and spoke with the provider, two senior staff and a member of the care staff.

We spoke with a relative who was visiting the agency, and contacted two other people by telephone to find out their views about the care and support provided by the agency. We were told "I would recommend them”, “they’re lovely (the carers)”,and “quite happy, no complaints”.

People’s needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care. Care documentation guided staff about how people should be supported safely with their assessed needs. Individual care plans reflected information about the delivery of people's care. Risk assessments had been completed to ensure staff knew how to support people through safe methods.

Appropriate recruitment checks had been undertaken before staff began working for the agency. There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. Staff had received appropriate training and supervision to support them in their role. Staff we spoke with knew what to do if they saw or suspected any abuse. People spoken with told us they felt safe when supported by staff.

There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service included seeking the views of the people who used the agency. People's complaints had been fully investigated and resolved.

We previously visited this agency in April 2012. At that time we had concerns that not all staff had received recent training in essential subjects. The provider submitted an action plan which detailed the actions they had taken to achieve compliance in this area. We made a return visit to check their progress with this.

We did not speak with people who used services as part of this review. We spoke with the registered manager and looked at training records. A training matrix had been developed which showed that all staff were up to date with training in subjects which had been defined as essential by the provider. Some staff had received additional training in areas such as caring for people with dementia or palliative care. However it was not clear what the rationale was for defining 'essential' or 'desirable' training subjects. There was no evidence that training needs had been identified based on the needs of people who used services. There was no training plan to show how and when training shortfalls were to be delivered, although we were told that this was being developed.

We spoke to three people who used the service and a relative. Feedback was positive. One person told us 'They are marvellous - I couldn't ask for any more.' Another person who used the service said that they were impressed with the care workers' attitude and they spoke of how the staff had helped them to overcome their embarrassment when providing care of a personal nature. People told us that they could rely on staff, whom they described as 'professional' and 'caring'. They said that staff often 'went beyond the call of duty' and they enjoyed their company. One person told us 'I look forward to them coming - I couldn't wish for any more'.

We also spoke to staff who told us they enjoyed working for the agency and felt well supported to care for people.

Archived: Beeches Homecare - Malmesbury

All Inspections

3 December 2013

During a routine inspection

27 June 2013

During a routine inspection

5 September 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

17 April 2012

During a routine inspection