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Archived: Staffordshire Community Care Limited

Adelaide House, Adelaide Street, Stoke On Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 2BD (01782) 478477

Provided and run by:
Staffordshire Community Care Ltd

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile

All Inspections

1 September 2014

During a routine inspection

This inspection was carried out by a CQC inspector. We spoke with three people who used the service, two members of staff and the registered manager. We also reviewed records relating to the management of the service, which included three care records, staffing records and medication records. We were given information relating to the operation of the service. We used the information to answer five questions we always ask:

Is the service safe?

Safeguarding procedures were in place. Staff had undertaken safeguarding training and were clear about their responsibilities to report any incidents of potential abuse.

An effective recruitment and selection process and was in place for new staff. References and checks had been obtained to make sure that people were suitable for the work they were to perform. Staff had appropriate induction training to ensure they had the skills and competencies to care for people safely.

The provider had taken steps to improve medication support in people's homes. This included a monthly check of medication records to ensure medication was being administered correctly and safely. Staff were held responsible for any shortfalls.

Aspects of quality monitoring had been improved. Feedback from people who used the service had been sought from questionnaires and spot checks of staff whilst undertaking care to ensure they were providing care to required standards.

Reviews of care records including risk assessments had not taken place since the service commenced. This meant there was a risk of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment arising from a lack of accurate information about people's current needs. We have asked the provider to tell us how they will make improvements.

Is the service effective?

Three people told us they were happy with the care and support they received and felt that their needs had been met. One person told us, "They give me the help I need. They (staff) are all excellent. I could not complain about anything." Another person compared the service with one they had previously used. The person told us, "This service is very reliable I cannot speak highly enough of them. They are on time, there are no missed calls and I can contact the manager at any time, including after hours."

Staff told us they had received good training and felt confident in meeting people's needs.

Is the service caring?

When speaking with staff it was clear that they had detailed knowledge of people's needs and how they wished to be supported. Staff genuinely cared for the people they supported.

The three people we spoke with who were being supported by the service told us they had no complaints. A person told us, "They always ask if there is anything more they can do to help me. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They will even do things to help that are probably not in the records".

Is the service responsive?

The service worked well with other agencies. We saw examples of the service responding well to unexpected hospital discharges.

We saw that care plans had not been reviewed. The registered manager worked regularly covering the rota to support people when staff had been unavailable. People we spoke with knew the manager well. It was clear that covering care calls was the priority.

Is the service well-led?

Quality monitoring of the service had improved since our last inspection with the introduction of questionnaires to seek feedback about the service and spot checks of staff whilst providing care to check if the service was delivering care to required standards.

Quality audits had been introduced to regularly check that medicines were being administered safely. Monthly evaluation of daily records completed by staff had been established to check the standards of care and support provided.

The manager worked alongside staff in the community, leading by example. This restricted the manager's time to take an overall view of the service and make any necessary changes.

3, 7 October 2013

During a routine inspection

We found that the provider had systems in place to gain consent for care and treatment from people who used the service. We spoke with staff who told us that they respected people's decisions and understood their responsibilities with regards to the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People who used the service told us that the staff were caring and treated them with dignity and respect. One person told us, 'The staff are very good. If it wasn't for this service I would be bed ridden'. Another person told us, 'The staff treat me well, they are very caring'.

The provider had systems in place to protect people from the risks of infection and staff were trained appropriately. People we spoke with told us that staff always used aprons and gloves when they provided support.

Staff we spoke with told us that they had undertaken an induction before they provided support to people. Staff told us that they felt supported by the registered manager and responded to any concerns raised.

We found that the provider did not have systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service provided.

At our last inspection on the 06 February 2013, we found that the provider did not have systems in place to notify us of any incidents of a serious nature or of any expected/unexpected deaths to people who used the service. At this inspection we saw that the provider had put systems in place to ensure that we were notified of any serious incidents to people who used the service.

8 March 2013

During a routine inspection

People we spoke with told us that they were involved in the planning of their care and the staff always listened to their wishes when providing support. One person told us, "I asked for a certain time for my call and the staff always come on time" and "The manager came out and asked me what I needed".

We spoke with staff who knew the individual needs of people. People we spoke with told us that they were very happy with the care and confirmed that staff knew their preferences in how the care was provided. One person stated "The staff are brilliant".

We spoke with people who used the service who told us, "I feel safe and comfortable with the care provided by staff" and "Staff treat me respectfully". Staff we spoke with understood the procedures to follow if they felt that someone was at risk of harm.

The provider had appropriate recruitment systems in place to ensure that staff employed by the service were suitable to work with vulnerable people.

The provider had taken steps to implement systems to gain the views of people who used the service and to identify and assess any risks to the health and welfare of people.

The provider was unaware of their requirement to inform us of any allegations of alleged abuse to people that used the service.