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Archived: Response - DCA

St Ives Close, Theale, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 5DP (01865) 397943

Provided and run by:
Response Organisation

All Inspections

29 August 2013

During a routine inspection

We spoke with four people who used the service and a family member. People we spoke with told us that they had been involved in planning their care and were able to make changes and raise concerns. One person we spoke with told us "they are a life saver, I would be stuck without them'. Another person told us 'they are absolutely wonderful, so thoughtful and helpful'.

Appropriate recruitment checks were carried out and recorded. New staff completed an induction and attended core training.

Appropriate systems were in place for the safe handling of medication. The agency did not currently support anyone to take their medication.

There was an effective complaints system. Comments and complaints were listened to and acted on.

The provider had an effective system in place to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service people received.

11 March 2013

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We revisited Response DCA to review the action plan they had provided us with. This was in response to an inspection visit in October 2012 where there were two areas of non-compliance.

We met with the manager and service manager. We saw that they had taken actions to address the areas of non-compliance as indicated in their action plan.

8 October 2012

During a routine inspection

We spoke to five of the six people using the service or their representatives. They praised staff for their warmth and support. They were pleased the service provided consistent care workers. We spoke to all of the staff, who talked with pride about their work and compassion for those they were supporting. Staff knew the details of people's care plans and risk assessments.

People supported by the agency or their representatives were involved in decision making about their care. The care plans reflected their wishes and preferences. However, plans and other documents were not always signed and dated, making the review of the care provided more difficult. Only one care plan had been subject to review at the point of inspection.

No safeguarding issues had arisen since the agency was registered in November 2011. People using the service and their advocates told us they trusted the staff providing the care. They were confident that if they had concerns these would be dealt with appropriately. Staff demonstrated a sound understanding of safeguarding issues.

Personnel files contained insufficient evidence of staff training. However, people supported by the agency told us the standard of care instilled confidence in the ability of staff. There were few systems for assessing and monitoring the quality of care provided. However, people told us that if something had needed reviewing, the agency were always willing to listen and had implemented appropriate changes.