Archived: Caring Carers Ltd, 3 Weston Chambers, Southend on Sea

Caring Carers Limited is a domiciliary care agency which offers personal care, companionship and domestic help to support people living in their own home. At the time of our inspection they were supporting approximately 60 people.

At our last inspection the service was rated as Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

The service was safe. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs consistently. People were supported to take their medication by staff who had received training to do so.

The service was effective. People were cared for and supported by staff who had received training to support people to meet their needs. The registered manager had a good understanding of their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet and referrals to other health professionals were made when required.

The service was caring. Staff cared for people in an empathetic and kind manner. Staff had a good understanding of people’s preferences of care. Staff always worked hard to promote people’s independence through encouraging and supporting people.

The service was responsive. People and their relatives were involved in the planning and review of their care. Care plans were reviewed on a regular basis and also when there was a change in care needs. People were supported to follow their interests and participate in social activities. The registered manager responded to complaints received in a timely manner.

The service was well-led. The service had systems in place to monitor and provide good care and these were reviewed on a regular basis.

Caring Carers Ltd provides personal care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of inspection there were 62 people who used the service.

The service is required to and did have a registered manager. 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.

The service needed to improve their quality assurance systems. Systems were in the process of being developed and new computer systems were in the process of being adopted to achieve robust quality monitoring of the service. Although systems were in place to make sure that people’s views were gathered, developments were being made to analyse and produce action plans to make effective use of people’s views.

People were safeguarded from the potential of harm and their freedoms protected. People were cared for safely by staff who had been recruited and employed after appropriate checks had been completed. Care and treatment was planned and delivered in a way that was intended to ensure people's safety and welfare.

Care workers had received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care. The service worked well with other professionals to ensure that people's health needs were met. Where appropriate, support and guidance were sought from health care professionals, including Community District Nurses. Care workers supported people with their medication as required.

Staff understood people's needs and treated people with dignity and respect. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people were involved in making decisions about their care.

People's needs had been fully assessed and their care plans clearly described the support that they needed. Care plans and risk assessments had been regularly reviewed and updated to reflect people's changing needs.

There was enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. The records in people's homes were well maintained, accurate and fit for purpose. Office copies of some records were not always fully completed and the service needs to make improvements in this area.

People received safe, effective and compassionate care from a well led service that responds quickly to their changing needs.