Archived: Soma Healthcare Ltd (West London)

At the last inspection on 21 January 2016, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Systems, processes and practice ensured that people who used the service were safeguarded from abuse. Risk in relation to personal care was minimised, personal and environmental risk factors were assessed and risk management plans were formulated together with people who used the service or relatives. The registered provider followed safe recruitment practices, which ensured only staff suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed. The agency does not administer medicines to people who used the service. However, in some instances care workers will prompt people who used the service to take their medicines. Appropriate policies and procedures and staff training ensured that this was done safely. Care workers had access to appropriate protective equipment to minimise the risk of spreading infections. The agency recorded and documented incidents and accidents and took actions to minimise the risk of similar events from reoccurring.

Detailed needs assessments were carried out to ensure the agency could meet people’s needs. Care workers received support and training to make sure they had the skill, knowledge and experience to deliver personal care effectively. Where people required support with their meals, this had been recorded and documented in their care records. The agency had good relationships with external professionals such as social workers and would advocate on people’s behalf if their needs were not met. Equipment was assessed as part of the assessment process and if equipment was not suitable action was taken to provide the correct one. People were 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.

People told us care workers treated them with dignity, kindness and respect. People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about the care they received.

Care was planned in a person-centred way and regular reviews of care plans ensured that people’s changing needs were met. People who used the service were encouraged to raise concerns, which were investigated and responded to appropriately. The agency did not provide end of life care.

A new manager had recently commenced employment and the application to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had been sent to the CQC. During the time of the registered manager's absence the agency was managed by an experienced care coordinator with support from the head of care services. Care workers and people told us that the management was supportive and listened to concerns or suggestions made. Effective quality monitoring ensured care was assessed and improvements to the quality of care were made.

Further information is in the detailed findings below

This was the first inspection since registering with Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 14 August 2015.

Soma Healthcare Ltd (West London) provides personal care to approximately 11 people who need assistance in their own homes.

The provider, Soma Healthcare Limited has appointed 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.

People felt safe and supported by staff in their homes. Staff were reliable and did not miss visits; staff stayed their allotted time. Staff helped keep people safe because they knew their responsibility to report abuse in a timely manner.

We saw that medicines were well managed and staff had received appropriate training as part of their induction.

People were supported by regular staff who understood their care needs. This made them feel safe and reassured. They knew who to expect on each visit and the staff group was stable so people received consistent care from staff who knew them well.

People praised the caring attitude of staff. People told us the care workers were “very good...they would do anything for me”. Our conversations with staff confirmed they had a caring and compassionate manner.

The registered manager was committed to providing flexible care, which was responsive to people’s changing needs. There was good communication with health and social care professionals.

Staff knew when to report concerns and changes to people’s health and well-being, which was also a topic covered in team meetings. People were confident staff would support them to contact health professionals, if needed.

Staff told us they had the right skills to deliver safe and good quality care. This was because they were supported by an induction and training programme, which was supplemented by supervision and team meetings.

A number of effective methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service provided. The service was well-led by a registered manager who provided a strong positive role. This meant staff were well supported.