We carried out a review of the data available to us about Gloucester Homecare Services Ltd 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 Gloucester Homecare Services Ltd, you can give feedback on this service.
The management team had recognised that the systems used to monitor the service needed further development to ensure that the quality of care being provided would be sustained if the service expanded. For example, improvements were being made to the systems which audited people’s care and medicines records, staff rotas and staff development. A new management team had been employed to assist them in addressing the shortfalls before the service expanded. We have made a recommendation about the governance systems used to monitor the service.
People and their relatives praised the staff and told us all the staff were caring and respectful. They told us arrived on time and their calls were never missed. Staff were passionate in ensuring people received care which was person centred and that people’s dignity and choices were maintained throughout.
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 told us they felt amongst staff and that their privacy and dignity was continually respected at all times. Staff had been trained in safeguarding people and protecting them from harm. Any concerns or accidents were reported and acted on
People’s care needs were assessed and recorded on an electronic care plan system which could be accessed by staff on their mobile devices. However, more details of the actions staff should take to assist them in managing their care needs, medicines and risks were needed for some people.
Progress was being made in identifying and addressing the training and support needs of staff. Staff told us they felt supported and that the new management team were approachable. Staff were safely recruited and suitably inducted into their role. The manager and staff were passionate about the care they delivered and were driven to improve the service. They worked in conjunction with families and other health care professionals to improve the lives for people.
The management team had recognised that the systems used to monitor the service needed further development to ensure that the quality of care being provided would be sustained if the service expanded. For example, improvements were being made to the systems which audited people’s care and medicines records, staff rotas and staff development. A new management team had been employed to assist them in addressing the shortfalls before the service expanded. We have made a recommendation about the governance systems used to monitor the service.
The manager monitored the quality of the delivery of care through staff observations and feedback from people while the monitoring systems were being developed to ensure people were satisfied with the care they received and to check that the care practices of staff were being maintained.
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. (published 11 July 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
There was a registered managed in post. 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.
People felt safe. People’s risks were managed effectively. Care staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences and history.
People and those important to them were involved in planning their care and their care plans reflected their needs and were reviewed regularly. People knew how to make a complaint.
People’s medicines were managed safely and there were sufficient staff to meet their needs.
People told us the care staff team who supported them with their personal care were kind and caring.
Recruitment checks had been carried out to ensure care staff were suitable to work with people.
Care staff felt well supported and had the training they required to meet people’s needs. Care staff understood their responsibilities around protecting people from the risk of harm or abuse.
The care staff lived the values of the provider and there was a visible leadership presence in the service. Quality assurance processes were in place to ensure care was delivered safely and to help drive improvements.