Archived: Prestige Homecare

We found that the provider carried out appropriate pre-employment checks.

Staff received relevant training and supervision but we noted that the provider may wish to review how appraisals are planned to ensure they take place in a timely manner.

The provider had systems in place to monitor, assess and improve the quality of the service provided. However, the provider may wish to consider how they ensure that issues raised by service users (and staff) are addressed and managed and which member(s) of the senior team would have responsibility for ensuring this was carried out.

At the recent inspection people using the service told us they were happy with the service they were receiving and comments included, 'Prestige are very good in the things that they do' and 'The girls and boys (staff) are very good and do their job'.

Some other comments from relatives included, 'My [relative] is very happy with the personal care side of things, they maintain [relative's] dignity at all times, which is important.'

Staff working for the service were provided with protective clothing such as gloves, aprons and hand gel. This helped to minimise the risk of cross infection.

We looked at staff records and found that the provider did not have a robust recruitment procedure in place. We had concerns that some staff had started work before all the required pre-employment checks had been fully completed.

At the last inspection we found that the provider did not always ensure staff receive appropriate training and supervision. At the recent inspection we found little improvement had been made in this outcome area.

At the last inspection we found that the provider did not have an effective system to assess and monitor the quality of service that people received. At the recent inspection we found little improvement had been made in this outcome area.

We also spoke to a relative who lives with a person being supported by Prestige Homecare. They told us, 'Things seem to have improved lately. Most of the time I didn't know who was coming (carers) but we seem to have the same person now, it is much better' and 'The care plan remains pretty static but I can ring the office if I need something changing for'.

Staff we spoke with told us that care plans provided sufficient information to enable them to support people appropriately and that any concerns they may raise with managers about a person using the service were responded to appropriately and in a timely way.

The care staff we spoke with were very clear about the action they would take should an allegation of abuse be made to them or should they witness abuse. They were also clear about the procedure regarding informing the local authority safeguarding team about such matters.

Staff supervision and staff training was not up to date for all staff.