The Care Quality Commission
  • Services in your home
  • Homecare service

Archived: Freedom Homecare Ltd

Blue Chip Business Centre, Atlantic Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 5DD

Provided and run by:
Freedom Homecare Ltd

All Inspections

3 December 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

Prior to our inspection we received information of concern from a whistle blower who felt there was a lack of staff training and staff induction for new care workers joining Freedom Homecare. They also suggested staff were not recruited appropriately and told us only a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) was sought from staff when they commenced employment. This inspection focussed on these areas in particular to ensure safe and effective systems were in place when recruiting and training staff.

31 July and 1 August 2013

During a routine inspection

During our inspection we spoke with the manager, four members of staff, visited the homes of three people in receipt of care and reviewed six care records.

The three people we visited told us: 'Absolutely love the carers." 'Continuity of staff was a concern six months ago, but not now, they know exactly what I need and they just get on with it." 'Carers know I have to do as much as I can myself, they know what I need and support me when I need it.' 'They (care staff) are lovely with me, they are so careful with me, I am not steady on my feet, but they are there for me all the time. They always ask if there is anything else they can do or get for me before they leave.'

Of the six care records we looked at we found detailed risk assessments and assessments of people's needs had been carried out, and clear tasks had been set out for carers to meet people's needs.

People who used the service were protected from the risk of abuse, because the provider had taken reasonable steps to identify the possibility of abuse and prevent abuse from happening.

The training matrix highlighted a range of in house training staff had attended. We saw that all staff had received training on dignity and respect, Mental Capacity Act and medication in July 2013.

We noted in all six care records we looked at, quality assurance checks had taken place and reviews completed. The three people we spoke with confirmed that they had participated in reviews of their care.

14 February 2013

During an inspection in response to concerns

Following information we received from the public and other professionals we carried out a responsive inspection. We reviewed the information we had received prior to the inspection, spoke with the manager, three members of staff and relatives.

Relatives told us: 'The carers are excellent, the calibre of staff we have found is so much better than other agencies we have used. Continuity of staff is excellent.' 'With Freedom, we actually get two carers and they turn up on time."

However we were told of a different experience, by a relative: 'We wanted Freedom care because they assured us they could provide continuity of carers. Over the short period of time we have had care from Freedom we have not had continued carers, which has caused my X distress. The main carer who cares for my X is however brilliant. We were not provided with a care plan in a timely manner and the risk assessment they provided to us was inaccurate.'

We found that people's care and welfare was respected, but identified shortfalls in record keeping which could compromise the quality of care received by people.

During our inspection we found that appropriate checks were undertaken before staff began work. We saw a training matrix for all staff, and looked in detail at four staff training records and found details of training and professional development.