Aspire Care Services Ltd

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence.

At our last inspection this key question was not rated. At this assessment, this key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 71 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider did not provide evidence to support they always discussed all aspects of people’s health, care and wellbeing with them.

While people had care plans in place information about people’s personal histories were not always included. We raised this point with the registered manager who acknowledged the importance of staff having a good background knowledge of people they are supporting. And while some people might not wish to disclose their personal history the registered manager undertook to revise care plans, to ensure this question was included in the assessments of people’s care needs.

The provider had people’s emergency contact details documented, these were not noted on people’s care plans. This meant staff did not have immediate access to this information while they were supporting people with care. This meant people were at risk of delays in those important to them being contacted in the case of an emergency if the need arose. We raised this with the registered manager who acknowledged the importance and began work on reviewing how this information would be linked with the care plans, so staff had better access.

Some people told us they did not have access to their care plan. We received comments like, “I don’t know anything about a care plan, but I don’t want to change my care.” and “I’m not aware of any care plan in place, but I don’t doubt the carers are not covering all the duties.” This meant people were at risk of having care delivered that had not been agreed in the planning. However, some people and their relatives told us they were involved in the planning of their care plans and risk assessments. We received the following comments, “We had a review over a year ago, family members were invited.” And, “I have a yearly review with the manager.”

While we found no evidence to support the quality of care was affected by people not having access to their care plans, we raised the concern with the registered manager. As this did leave people at risk of being supported with care not agreed in care plans. The registered manger told us this situation arose due to the transition from manual to digital plans. Also, when care plans were updated, old ones were taken away so that people did not have outdated information in their possession. The registered manager told us people could request a copy of their care plans which could be sent to them digitally.

Care plans and risk assessments contained information about peoples physical, sensory and mental health needs. Information about social support and communication needs was also included.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

Care plans and risk assessments documented people’s support requirements in relation to nutrition and hydration needs. There was sufficient information to inform staff how to support people safely.

Staff told us they were aware of how to deliver appropriate care and treatment to people. One member of staff said, “We get to know each person and know what help they need. We look at [people’s] care plans and listen to them and make sure their support is right for them.”

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services.

Care plans and risk assessments contained enough information about people’s care and support needs, that people would not have to repeat their health history should they require support from external colleagues.A staff member said, “We make contact with the GP, district nurse and health professionals when necessary.”

Staff told us they felt communication was effective between colleagues and the management team. The registered manger told us the service has a group call set up. In this group staff can feed back anything that is new or of concern. Staff will also support each other in this group if required. The registered manager would use this platform to provide updates as required to ensure staff remained informed of important changes or events.

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

Care plans documented people’s care and support needs in relation to their diet and lifestyle requirements. People told us staff fully supported them to achieve good outcomes in relation to this. One person told us, “[Staff] help me to dress, they help me with my cooking, [and] they encourage me to do as much as possible for myself.”

Staff told us they felt confident in supporting people and would contact health professionals such as GP’s and the pharmacy as required.People told us they were involved in the review of their care and wellbeing support needs. They felt staff had a good knowledge of how to support them to live healthier lives.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

The service sought feedback from people to ensure their support requirements were met. One person told us they received a ‘annual questionnaire to complete.” A relative told us, “[We get] visits monthly to check that all is okay and they will have a chat with me.”Staff told us they ensure that daily notes are completed accurately. One staff member said, “I check daily logs on care app. I check service user documents [checking] for any changes in people’s care needs.” Another staff member said, “I make sure daily notes are being done and ensure handover sheets are up to date.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.Staff had received training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and understood how to ensure people were able to consent to the care and treatment they received. A member of staff told us, “I ask [people] for permission before I start care. If [people do not] have capacity, I still explain what I am doing before personal care is delivered. If personal care is refused, I will report this.”

People and their relatives told us staff always sought consent before supporting them with personal care. One person said, “[Staff] don’t make me feel embarrassed. They listen when I get upset with myself because of the things I cannot do.”