Archived: Seven Steps

Records we checked showed that people's preferences about their care and support had been followed by the provider. Staff had received training in abuse awareness and protecting vulnerable adults in the previous year and further training was planned.

There were effective recruitment and selection processes in place. We checked recruitment records. We saw that interview notes evidenced analysis of each person's ability to carry out the role they had applied for.

People's personal records including medical records were accurate and mostly fit for purpose. We checked files belonging to six people who were using the service at the time of the inspection. We saw that people's records were up to date and regularly reviewed so that they remained current and reflected people's care and support needs. However, we did advise the registered person about some areas where record keeping did not meet appropriate standards.

The registered person stated that although they felt they had a good overview of care quality within the service, they confirmed that they did not carry out any formal, documented, audits.

People's support needs, and the actions required of staff to meet these, were not recorded in the care plans seen. One person using the service told us they decided what they would do when the staff visited and the staff would support them in that. They told us they had the same care staff that supported them.

Appropriate safeguards were not in place to protect people against the risk of abuse by taking reasonable steps to prevent the risk of financial abuse before it occurred.

The provider/manager had not received all the necessary recruitment checks before staff had commenced work.

The person and relatives we spoke with all said they had no concerns and felt they would be able to approach the provider/manager if necessary. The person using the service told us, 'if they didn't listen I'd go to the Council to complain.'