Archived: Northants care at Home

There was a registered manager in post at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People had care plans that were personalised to their individual needs and wishes. Records contained detailed information to assist care workers to provide care and support in an individualised manner that respected each person's individual requirements and promoted treating people with dignity.

People told us that they felt cared for safely in their own home. Staff understood the need to protect people from harm and knew what action they should take if they had any concerns. Staff understood their role in caring for people with limited or no capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Staffing levels ensured that people received the support they required safely and at the times they needed. The recruitment practice protected people from being cared for by staff that were unsuitable to work in their home.

People received care from staff that were kind, compassionate and caring and who would go the extra mile to support people and their families. Staff had the skills and knowledge to provide the care and support people needed and were supported by a management team which was receptive to ideas and committed to providing a high standard of care.

The registered manager was approachable and had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. Staff and people were confident that issues would be addressed and that any concerns they had would be listened to.

Another person told us that staff 'arrived on time and completed the daily records properly. The service was flexible when extra help had been needed'. Another person told us that the same care staff usually came and that they knew their relative well. They added that staff talked to the person and explained what they were doing and always seemed to cheer their relative up.

People told us they could contact the agency at any time and that any issues or concerns would be resolved. Staff told us they were well supported and they received the training they needed.

We found that the service regularly monitored and reviewed the service they provided to ensure that people were supported safely.