3 February 2017
During a routine inspection
KIF is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to adults within their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care and support to one person.
A registered manager was employed at the service. 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.
The registered manager provided most of the care but employed a member of staff on a relief basis. The registered manager and staff were trained in recognising possible signs of abuse and they knew how to report any possible suspicions to the relevant authority. Staff demonstrated awareness of possible warning signs of safeguarding concerns and the action they needed to take. People were supported by staff who were familiar with their needs. Checks were completed on staff suitability before they started working with people.
Risks to people's health and wellbeing were managed and care plans contained appropriate risk assessments which were reviewed regularly and updated when people's needs changed. Staff had received training in administering medicines and procedures were in place to record and monitor medicines, however people were not currently being supported in this area.
Staff had received induction training when they first started to work for the service and received on-going training to make sure that they continued to have the skills to provide people with appropriate care and support.
Staff had received training around the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and there was evidence people had consented to their care. The registered manager was aware of what requirements were needed where people lacked capacity.
Staff had completed training in food hygiene and people's specific dietary needs and preferences were recorded in care plans. Staff understood how to respond to any medical emergencies or significant changes in a person's wellbeing. People said staff were caring and that they had built up close relationships with the members of staff who supported them. People told us they were able to make everyday choices for themselves and staff provided the care they needed. People were consulted about their preferences and people were treated with dignity and respect. The registered manager and a member of staff spoke enthusiastically about the person they were supporting, and were able to explain their needs and preferences.
Staff told us the registered manager was friendly and supportive. We saw there was a process for people or staff to contact the registered manager if they required additional support or guidance.
People were involved in planning how they were cared for and supported. The registered manager visited people in their own homes to carry out an initial needs assessment, from which care plans and risk assessments were developed. Care was personalised to meet people's individual needs and was reviewed if there were any significant changes.
People were encouraged to share their opinions about the quality of the service and there were effective systems in place if people wished to make a complaint.
There were arrangements in place to assess and monitor the quality and effectiveness of the service and use these findings to make on going improvements.