We carried out a review of the data available to us about Care Assist Limited on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Care Assist Limited, you can give feedback on this service.
This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; In respect of supported living, this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
At our last inspection on 11 March 2016 the service met the regulations we looked at and was rated as overall Good.
The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People who used the service informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. They informed us that they had been treated with respect and they felt safe when cared for by care workers. There was a safeguarding adult’s policy and suitable arrangements for protecting people from abuse.
There were suitable arrangements for ensuring that people received their medicines as prescribed. Audit arrangements were in place and people stated that they had been given their medication.
Infection control measures were in place. Care workers assisted people in ensuring that their bedrooms and communal areas were kept clean and tidy.
Care workers had been carefully recruited and provided with a comprehensive induction and training programme to enable them to care effectively for people. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from their managers. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Teamwork and communication within the service was good.
People’s healthcare needs were monitored and when needed, care workers arranged for people to have appointments with healthcare professionals. Care workers worked well with social and healthcare professionals to bring about improvements in people’s mental state.
Care workers were helpful and caring in their approach. They listened to people and were aware of the individual needs and preferences of people. There were arrangements for encouraging people to express their views and make suggestions regarding the care and management of the service.
People’s care needs and potential risks to them were carefully assessed. Care workers had been provided with guidance on how to care for people. People had appropriate and up to date care plans. People and their representatives were involved in care planning. Regular reviews of care had been carried out with people and professionals involved to ensure that people received appropriate care. People were encouraged to be as independent as they can and to engage in educational and therapeutic activities which they liked. The service had a complaints procedure. People knew who to complain to if they had concerns. Complaints made had been promptly responded to.
People who used the service and two care professionals expressed confidence in the management of the service. Audits and checks of the service had been carried out by the registered manager and senior staff of the company. These included checks on incidents, complaints, medicines administration and health and safety checks of premises. Care workers were aware of the values and aims of the service and this included treating people with respect and dignity, providing high quality care and promoting people’s independence.
At our last inspection on 20 February 2014 the service met the regulation we looked at.
The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People who used the service informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. They informed us that they had been treated with respect and they were safe when cared for by care workers of the service. There was a safeguarding adults policy and suitable arrangements for safeguarding people from abuse.
Care workers were caring in their approach and knowledgeable regarding the individual choices and preferences of people. People’s care needs and potential risks to them were carefully assessed. Care workers had been provided with guidance on how to care for people. They prepared appropriate and up to date care plans which involved people and their representatives. People’s healthcare needs were monitored and when needed, care workers arranged for people to have appointments with healthcare professionals. Care workers worked well with social and healthcare professionals to bring about improvements in people’s care. This was confirmed by people themselves and by professionals we contacted. There were suitable arrangements for ensuring that people received their medicines as prescribed. Audit arrangements were in place and people stated that they had been given their medication.
There were arrangements for encouraging people and their representatives to express their views and make suggestions regarding the care and management of the service. Regular reviews of care had been carried out with people and professionals involved to ensure that people received appropriate care. People were encouraged to be as independent as they can and to engage in educational and therapeutic activities which they liked. Care workers assisted people with their shopping and meal preparation. People were encouraged to eat healthily and care workers assisted people in monitoring their weights.
Care workers had been carefully recruited and provided with a comprehensive induction and training programme to enable them to care effectively for people. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from their managers. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Teamwork and communication within the service was good. Care workers were aware of the values and aims of the service and this included treating people with respect and dignity, providing high quality care and promoting people’s independence.
Audits and checks of the service had been carried out by the registered manager and senior staff of the company. These included checks on care documentation, medicines administration and health and safety checks of premises. Complaints made had been promptly responded to. Social and healthcare professionals provided positive feedback regarding the management of the service. They indicated that the service was well organised, staff were capable and their clients had benefitted from the care provided.
People who used the service had been carefully assessed and their care needs and preferences were noted. Individual risk assessments were in place. Care plans had been prepared with the involvement of people who used the service. The care provided was closely monitored by the registered manager and senior staff.
Care staff had been provided with supervision and support to ensure that they were able to do their jobs well. People who used the service stated that care staff were reliable and able to meet their needs.
There were arrangements for quality assurance. Satisfaction surveys, monitoring visits by senior staff and reviews of care had been carried out with senior staff of the company.
People were supported to develop their independent living skills and to access community facilities. One person said, "staff are helping me to move on by improving my skills". People told us that staff supported them in a respectful manner. One person said, "the staff are brilliant, they keep me active" and another said "they are the best staff in the world". We observed positive interactions between staff and the people using the service
People's needs were assessed and care plans developed taking account of people's preferences, likes and dislikes. Care records contained risk assessments that ensured people were kept safe whilst balancing their right to make choices for themselves and maintain their independence. People told us they felt supported by staff. One person said "they (staff) go the extra mile to look after you nicely".
People told us they felt safe and the staff spoken with demonstrated that they knew what action they should take if they were concerned about someone's welfare.
Checks were completed before staff commenced work to ensure people were protected from staff who were unsuitable to work with vulnerable people.
There was an effective complaints management system in place.