We carried out a review of the data available to us about Fourways Community Care 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 Fourways Community Care, you can give feedback on this service.
People’s experience of using this service:
People using the service consistently told us they felt safe and staff treated them in a caring and respectful manner. Staff were exceptionally compassionate and kind and the care provided consistently exceeded people’s and their relatives’ expectations. Comments from people and their relatives included, “Very safe, they’re very helpful, they make sure she doesn’t fall and they ask her what she needs” and “They are all kind.”
People were supported by a stable staff team who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff spoke passionately about the people they supported and were clearly committed to providing a responsive and caring service in line with people’s wishes. Staff were particularly sensitive to times when people needed caring and compassionate support and often went ‘the extra mile’ to support people’s emotional well-being.
There was a positive culture in the staff team. Management and staff were committed to ensuring people received an excellent service and particularly about helping people who might be a risk of being socially isolated. The service offered a free mini-bus service to take people out on weekly trips to local attractions as well as arranging annual Christmas and summer parties.
Staff respected and promoted people’s independence by providing equipment such as door ramps to enable people to go out in wheelchairs. Management worked with other organisations on projects that supported people living with dementia to go out independently in the community while remaining safe.
People were supported by a stable staff team who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff spoke passionately about the people they supported and were clearly committed to providing a responsive and caring service in line with people’s wishes.
People had agreed the times of their visits and were given a list each week detailing the times of their visits and the names of the staff booked. People told us if the staff or times altered they were informed of these changes. No one reported ever having had any missed visits.
Assessments were carried out to identify any risks to the person using the service and to the staff supporting them. Care plans were personalised to the individual and recorded details about each person’s specific needs and wishes. These were kept under regular review and updated as people’s needs changed.
A new rota and care planning system had been introduced. Staff accessed their rotas and details of people’s needs on a mobile phone application. They told us this was effective and made it easy to keep up to date with any changes in people’s needs.
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.
People were supported to access healthcare services, staff recognised changes in people's health, and sought professional advice appropriately.
New staff completed an induction which involved training and a period of shadowing more experienced staff. Training was refreshed so staff were up to date with any changes in working practices.
The service was well-led. There was a positive culture in the service. Management and staff were committed to ensuring people received a good service and particularly about helping people who might be a risk of being socially isolated. The service offered a free mini-bus service to take people out on weekly trips to local attractions as well as arranging annual Christmas and summer parties.
People, their relatives and staff told us management were approachable and they listened to them when they had any concerns or ideas. All feedback was used to make continuous improvements to the service.
Rating at last inspection: Good. Report published on 16 November 2016.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Fourways Community Care on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Fourways Community Care provides personal care to people in their own homes in Sidmouth and surrounding areas. At the time of the inspection the service were supporting 47 people receiving personal care. Times of care visits ranged from 30 minutes up to 24 hours which included nights.
The registered person is also the registered manager of the service. 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. The registered person delegated responsibility to an office manager who was in day to day control of the service. They were supported by a care coordinator, administrator, and a care worker who was trained to deliver training and care workers. The office manager said the registered person was always available for support and guidance.
A number of effective methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service provided. People’s views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service. An external company undertook surveys of people, staff and stakeholders and action plans were formulated. People knew who management team were and trusted them to provide good care. They said they the service was well led and provided good care.
People felt safe and secure when receiving care. They trusted the care workers to have the skills to keep them safe. People had positive relationships with their care workers and were confident in the service. They said the support they received from the service met their care needs. People and relatives said care workers relationships with people were strong, caring and supportive. Care workers gave care that was kind and compassionate. No-one had any complaints about the care and support they received.
As part of the assessment process for new people using the service, environmental risks were assessed and measures put into place to minimise the risk. People’s rights were protected because the service followed the appropriate guidance.
People’s medicines were managed safely. The office manager was working with the local pharmacy to introduce new medicine administration records.
Care files were personalised to reflect people’s personal preferences. Where people were supported with their nutrition needs care workers supported them to maintain a balanced diet. Health and social care professionals were regularly involved in people’s care to ensure they received the right care and treatment and were positive about the service.
Safe staff recruitment procedures were in place. This helped reduce the risk of the provider employing a person who may be a risk to vulnerable people. People were protected by care workers who had completed safeguarding training and knew what to do if they were concerned that a person was being abused.
People received support from consistent care workers who they knew and trusted. Care workers received a range of training and regular support to keep their skills up to date in order to support people safely and effectively. Care workers spoke positively about communication and how they were kept informed. There was a caring ethos at the service. The management team encouraged team working and promoted an open, positive culture.