Archived: South Western Homecare

People who we spoke with told us the staff were 'very nice' and they were 'all lovely, polite and helpful'.

People told us and we saw evidence of care needs assessments and risk assessments were being developed to ensure the agency could deliver the required level of care. The care plans we reviewed were sufficiently detailed to direct and inform staff about how the care was to be provided. Regular reviews of care plans to ensure the care provided took account of any changes that had occurred.

The provider had an effective system in place to gain the thoughts and experiences of people who used the service, their representatives and medical professionals.

South Western Homecare had an effective and robust system in place to ensure the necessary checks were completed before a person was employed by the company. There was a clear complaints policy and procedure in place. The people we spoke with were aware of how to contact the registered manager should they need to.

People told us and we saw evidence of pre-care assessments of peoples' needs to ensure the agency could provide the required level of care. The care plans we looked at directed and informed staff as to how the care was to be provided. We noted that care plans were not adequately reviewed to ensure changes to people's care requirements were clear on the care plan. We saw there were risk assessments held on peoples' care folders, however, these were not adequate to monitor and plan for potential hazards to service users.

There were sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to support people. Staff undertook appropriate induction training which was supplemented by regular supervision and management appraisals. Staff undergo on-going professional development through completion of a range of professional courses pertinent to their role.