Archived: Caringlinks Limited

This is a summary of what we found -

Is the service safe?

People were treated with respect and dignity by the staff. We saw that people were given choice in their care and all the relatives we spoke with told us they were kept informed. People told us that they felt safe. Safeguarding procedures were robust and staff understood how to safeguard the people they supported.

The service had proper policies and procedures in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), although no applications had needed to be submitted. Relevant staff had been trained to understand when an application should be made and how to submit it. This meant that people were safeguarded as required.

Is the service effective?

People told us they were happy with the care that had been delivered to them. They told us that the service had been very flexible and their needs had been met. One person told us, 'I have had the service a few weeks. The manager is working hard to get the service right for my husband. They are working to get the visits to be at the right time for us'.

People's health and care needs were assessed with them, and they were involved in writing their care plans. People told us their support requirements had been reviewed on a regular basis to meet any changing needs.

Is the service caring?

We asked people for their opinions about the staff who supported them. One person told us, 'I can honestly say the girls are excellent.' Another person told us, 'The staff are really helpful, they will let us know if they are going to be late and keep us informed'.

Peoples needs had been assessed by a nursing assessor before they received care and support from the provider. People told us that they felt well supported by the care staff.

Is the service responsive?

People's likes and dislikes had been recorded and care and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes.

People were involved in completing satisfaction surveys and regular audits of their views took place. Relatives also completed a satisfaction survey. They all told us they could raise any concerns and they would be dealt with. All the people we spoke with told us they had received a good service.

One person told us, 'I am fine; it is a really reliable service.' Relatives we spoke with also told us they were very pleased with the service. One relative told us, 'The care is very flexible; I think the service is excellent'.

Is the service well-led?

The services worked well with other agencies to make sure people received care in a coherent way.

People we spoke with were very happy with the care provided. One person told us 'they are looking after us very well', another person stated 'they care about the patients'. One person who used the service told us that the care provided was 'impeccable'. Another person whose relative used the service told us 'the communication is brilliant, they don't leave anything unturned'. Another person told us that staff were very punctual, they stated 'the carers are almost to the minute' on each visit.

The provider had carried out sufficient pre-employment checks on staff members helping to ensure that they were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.

The provider had quality assurance systems in place to help monitor and improve the service.

The provider had a complaints system in place but had not received any complaints at the time of our inspection.