JAC Community Care

JAC Community Care is a service providing care and support to people in their own home. It provides a service to older adults and people with learning disabilities. At the time of the inspection the service was providing support to 15 people. All the people using the service received the regulated activity of personal care.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe with the care staff who supported them. Staff told us they would report any safeguarding concerns but did not consistently know external agencies. Risks to people had been assessed in relation to them as individuals. However, where people required the support of staff or equipment to mobilise, their care records did not contain guidance to direct staff how to safely support people. Although there was a recruitment process in place, we found that the process was not always followed, and pre-employment checks were inconsistent. People told us they were supported by consistently reliable staff who did not miss calls. People were supported, when required, to receive their medicines as prescribed. The registered manager told us they had not had any accidents or incidents so could not share any examples of learning with us.

People felt staff had the skills and experience to care for and support them. However, staff had not received refresher training as identified by the provider. People were supported where required to eat and drink sufficient amounts to remain healthy and were supported to access healthcare professionals when required. People told us staff obtained their consent before supporting them with care and support. 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 staff were kind, friendly and caring. Staff supported people to maintain their independence and to remain involved in decisions about their care. People told us they were involved in their care planning and staff made sure they respected people's dignity and privacy.

People received personalised care from staff who knew their needs and wishes. Staff and the provider were responsive to people's individual needs and tailored the service where possible to support people. People knew who to make complaints to and were confident they would be listened to.

The registered provider did not have robust quality assurance systems or processes in place at the time of the inspection. They told us the service was very small and they did some of the care delivery themselves so had an overview of the service. However, there were no records or systems to verify any quality checks or audits. People told us they thought the service was well-led by approachable providers who went the extra mile to support them.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was Good. (Our last report was published on 28 October 2016.)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for JAC Community Care on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. 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 using the service and were protected from the risk of harm or abuse because staff knew how to recognise and report concerns of potential abuse. Staff were aware of people’s individual risks and how to minimise them. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs and staff received the training and support they needed to carry out their roles. People’s medicines were managed safely.

People were asked for their consent before care was provided. People received support with meal planning if required and were assisted to access healthcare services when required. People told us staff that were supporting them were kind and caring. Most people received support from a consistent team of staff. Staff supported people to make choices about their care. Staff supported people in a way that protected their dignity and privacy. People were supported by staff to maintain their independence as much as possible.

People felt able to raise any concerns they may have. People and staff told us the management team were approachable and supportive. Systems were in place to ask people their views about their care. Quality audit systems were in place and there was evidence actions plans were produced when improvements were needed.

After the inspection, we spoke with four people who used the service and three members of staff.

We found that before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes.

We found that the provider met the care and welfare needs of people who used the service.

One person told us: 'The carers are very good, very efficient and respectful'.

We found that people were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

We saw that the provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people received.

We found that records were accurate, fit for purpose and met the needs of people who used the service.

After the inspection we contacted people who use the service, their relatives and care staff.

People we spoke with were mainly positive about the service they received from JAC Community Care.

One person told us, 'The carers are very good to me".

Another person told us, 'By and large I am quite satisfied with the agency'.

We spoke with a relative who told us, 'The carers are very good'.

Staff we spoke with told us they had appropriate induction training to undertake their work competently and had the right level of support from the management team.

We looked at five key outcomes to establish whether people were involved and participated in the service they received; whether care was provided appropriately; whether the agency could adequately ensure people's safety; whether requirements relating to workers were effectively implemented and whether there was a system for ensuring ongoing quality assurance within the agency.

JAC Community Care was compliant in these five outcome areas.