Care Assist Limited

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,treatmentand support achieved good outcomes and promoteda good qualityof life, based on best available evidence.

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 assessment we rated this key question good. At this assessment the rating has remained good.

This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 67 (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 always make sure people’s care and treatment were effective because they did not always check and discuss people’s health, care,wellbeingand communication needs with them.

A family member toldus, “Other than an activity plan,I have not seen any care plan.”Anotherfamily membersaid,“We have not been invited to any reviewssince they movedin.” We discussed this and received assurances from the provider they would address theseconcernswith people and their families.

People’s care plans and risk assessments were developed using assessment information and reviewedregularly,or when people’s needs or preferences changed. Care planscontaineddetailed information and guidance for staff to follow in relation to people’s needs and wishes.

The managervisited people to complete assessments prior to them moving tothesupported living settingtoensuretheywere able to meet their needs. The registered manager told us, “I want to make sure the home is right forthem.” They told us the assessment process also gave the opportunity to check if staff required anyadditionaltraining to care for people safely.

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 good practice and standards.

Staff delivered evidence-based care.Staff undertook a wide range of training, including specialist training about mental health and learningdisabilities. The provider ensured staff had information about best practice and legislation. Staff told us they had the information they needed and felt they could ask for guidance when they had questions.

The managerattended registered managers forums to ensure they stayed up to date with best practice guidance and to share knowledge and ideas.These ideas were shared with team leaders during managers meetings to improve service effectiveness.

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.

Staff told us they took part in regular handovers of information when they changed shifts. They discussed people’s needs and any concernsaround the services. There were regular team meetingsand staff said these were useful.

Staff worked well with external professionals. They had regular meetings with the GP surgery to discuss people’s needs andrequestedreferrals when theyidentifieda need. The registered manager told us, “Workingwith the GP has beenvery helpful.They really help us get the resourceswe need for people.”

Staff had opportunities to meet with the manager and team leaders and other staff members to discuss best practice.

The provider did not always support people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence,choiceand control. Staff did not always support people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

Care records and support plans lacked information on preventative strategies to support people’s ongoing health and wellbeing. Some people using the service required support with healthy eating and meal planning. Care records showed staff were not routinely supportingaperson to plan healthy meals.Anotherperson'swho had high cholesteroland therefore needed support with healthy eating options, their daily records of food included choices that diddoesnot supportlowering their cholesterol. These options were not recorded as discussed withthe personto ensure they were aware of the associated risksanda betterchoice offered.The manager assured us they would work with the person to betterimprovetheir health outcomesand understanding.

Notwithstanding the above people had access to a full range of health services, and staff helped them attend appointments and understand treatment plans. Care was adapted following changes in health, such as mobility difficulties or mental health needs, with evidence being seen of prompt referrals to the GP to request specialist help.

The provider routinelymonitoredpeople’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.

Care plans included information about how people wanted to be supported to achieve their outcomes. Staff were able to respond to people’s changing needs promptly to help promote positive outcomes.

People’s care plans included information about personal care needs, health and wellbeing, future goals and aspirations, family connections, community and social engagement,independenceand routine.Managerschecked records and liaised with staff to help ensureappropriate actionwas taken whenmonitoringand responding to people’s needs.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

Systems were in place to help ensure people’s consent was obtained before care and treatment was provided. The provider had a Mental Capacity Act2005(MCA) policy, and staff had received training to support their understanding of the MCA and their responsibilities in practice.

Care plans showed where people were unable to sign, the provider had acted on their behalf in their best interests using the MCA principles to determine if people had capacity to make certain decisions.

People’s relatives were consulted about health appointments where they also lacked capacity. This meant appropriate arrangements could be made to make decisions in people’s best interests with health professionals and family involvement.