A PL+US Caring Service

A PL+US Caring is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the service.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and their family members were positive about the staff and management of the service.

Governance systems were in place to monitor and maintain the service. However, recording and information systems were not always organised in a way to ensure the effective oversight of the service.

We have made a recommendation the provider consider best practice guidance in managing records and information.

Staff told us they felt supported by the management team and all worked well together. Lessons had been learnt when things had gone wrong and learning was shared with staff to improve the service.

People received safe care from staff who knew them well. There was a safeguarding policy in place and the registered manager and staff knew how to identify and report any concerns.

Risks to people’s health and safety had been completed. The provider was in the process of reviewing their risk assessment process and recording to ensure it was robust.

The service had enough staff to meet the needs of the people using the service. Staff had been safely recruited.

Staff supported people with their medicines. People told us they received their medicines on time. Staff had access to personal protective equipment and there were effective infection prevention and control measures in place.

Staff had received an induction and training to enable them to meet people’s needs. We saw a system of spot checks and ongoing training was in place for staff in order to carry out their role.

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.

Staff were caring, kind and friendly. They provided care and support to people in a respectful and compassionate way.

The service carried out an assessment of each person’s needs and how they liked to be cared for and care plans included guidance for staff on how to meet those needs.

There was a process in place for dealing with complaints which were dealt with effectively.

People’s nutritional needs were met. They received support to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. No-one at the service was receiving end of life care.

The provider sought support and liaised with health and social care professionals when needed. As a result, staff met people’s need safely and effectively.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The rating at the last inspection was good (published 29 June 2018).

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

When we last visited the service it was rated good. At this inspection we found the service remained good.

People were safe from abuse and bullying. Staff had knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of their responsibilities to report any concerns. The registered manager knew of their responsibilities regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Risks were assessed and suitable control measures put in place, which still enabled people to maintain as much independence as possible. There were sufficient numbers of staff to ensure that people's needs were met and recruitment practices ensured that staff were of good character and suitable for their roles. People were supported to take their medicines safely, if required. Systems were in place to record when medicines were given and were regularly checked to ensure there were no errors.

Staff received an induction and on-going training to make sure they had the right skills and knowledge to provide people with care in their own homes. Staff were well supported and had opportunities to discuss any concerns and training needs they might have.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

There were positive relationships between people and members of staff. Staff treated people with kindness and took the time to get to know them and their interests whilst providing their care. The service had involved people in producing their care plans to ensure that care was provided in the way they wanted it to be. In addition, people and their family members were provided with information about the service and what they could expect from them.

The care plans we looked at were detailed. Staff could describe how individual people preferred their care and support delivered and the importance of treating people with respect in their own homes.

The service worked in partnership with community professionals and the local authorities to meet people's needs.

The provider had a system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received and identified and acted on areas for improvement.