All inspections: Employment 1st UK Limited

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

We undertook an announced inspection on 6 August 2014. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming. Employment 1st UK Limited provides personal care to one person in their own home. The provider was in the process of tendering for further contracts with local authorities to provide personal care to more people.

At our last inspection on 23 September 2013 the service met the regulations inspected.

The service had a registered manager who had been in post since July 2012. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

Staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable adults and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff were able to recognise signs of potential abuse and would report any concerns to the registered manager. However, the reporting process was not documented and related policies did not contain information about reporting procedures. We could not be assured that appropriate action would be taken if concerns arose. The service did not have a policy relating to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how to support people that did not have capacity to make decisions.

There were sufficient staff employed to provide a 24 hour service to the person receiving care and the staff had the skills and knowledge to support them.

A care plan was in place that identified the person’s care needs and how they wished to be supported. Staff were aware of the person’s preferences and provided care in line with them.

Staff liaised with other health and social care professionals involved in the person’s care, and escalated any concerns about their health to either their GP or the emergency services as needed.

The registered manager undertook weekly checks to monitor the quality of the service provided. Regular feedback was obtained from the person using the service to assess their satisfaction and appropriate action was taken to improve the service where required.

The registered manager was accessible to staff if they required additional support or advice. However, we saw that some staff had requested further supervision and we could not be assured that this had been provided. Some staff felt they were not listened to and that their concerns were not taken seriously or acted upon.

We carried out a short notice inspection at the office of this domiciliary care agency. The agency provided care to one person with complex physical health needs at the time of the inspection. We spoke to the two managers at the office and two care staff by telephone. We also spoke to the person who uses the service and a doctor involved with their care.

Everyone we spoke to was pleased with the quality of care. They described it as very careful, caring and kind. The person using the service said they actively expressed their views about how they wanted their care delivered.

Care staff knew the person using the service well and understood their needs and preferences, which were clearly documented. Senior staff regularly reviewed care, with the person using the service and their family, and acted on changing needs.

Medication was systematically managed using appropriate procedures. Staff were trained annually and kept up to date with current good practice. There were regular checks on staff competency to administer medication.

There were always enough skilled and experienced staff on duty to meet people's needs and the manager kept the staffing levels under review should changes be required.

There was a system in place to assess and monitor the quality of care and staff performance. This included regular spot checks, care file audits, observations of care being delivered, complaints, safety systems and medication audits.

We carried out a short notice inspection at the office of the domiciliary care agency. The agency provided domiciliary care to one person with complex physical health needs at the time of our inspection. We spoke to managers and staff at the office and by telephone. We also spoke to the person using the service, their family and an external commissioning clinician.

Everyone we spoke to were very satisfied with the quality of care. They were positive about staff skills and care coordination, referring to the care as 'excellent'. People said that care workers treated them respectfully, and understood their rights and the need to have their dignity maintained.

Care was highly personalised and care workers took time to get to know the person using the service and understand their needs and preferences. Care and support was regularly reviewed and staff were supported and trained to provide specialist care.

The agency kept people safe and had systems in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.

Archived: Employment 1st UK Limited

All Inspections

6 August 2014

During a routine inspection

23 September 2013

During a routine inspection

22 February 2013

During a routine inspection