Archived: C & D Care Solutions Ltd

During the inspection we looked at respect and involvement, care and welfare, safeguarding, requirements relating to workers and quality assurance.

This is a summary of what we found, using evidence obtained via speaking with staff, speaking with people who used the service and looking at records:

Is the service caring?

We spoke with two members of staff who demonstrated a commitment to delivering good quality care and preserving people’s dignity and privacy. Care records included evidence of individual support needs, appropriate risk assessments and personal preferences.

We spoke with two people who used the service. One person said, “The carers that I have are very good. When I have had any concerns in the past I have rung the office and they have sorted it out”. Another told us, “They do what I want them to do. They used to care for my husband and now they care for me. I have no problems at all”.

Is the service responsive?

People were visited prior to the commencement of the service to ascertain their individual needs and wishes. People’s mental capacity was taken into consideration with regard to decision making and care was taken to ensure decisions were made in the person’s best interests. Staff had undertaken Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) training and demonstrated a good understanding of the principles of the Act.

There was evidence within the care records that the service responded to people’s changing needs and updated the support plans appropriately.

Is the service safe?

Risk assessments were in place in the care records and were reviewed and updated regularly to ensure people’s needs were met safely.

Staff were aware of the safeguarding policies and guidance and were confident to follow them. We saw evidence of a concern which had been raised appropriately by a staff member and had been reported and followed up as per policies and guidance to help ensure the person’s safety within the service.

Staff were recruited safely as the service had measures in place to ensure a robust selection and recruitment procedure. Prospective employees had to produce proof of identity, references were taken up prior to their commencement with the service and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were undertaken to ensure their suitability to work with vulnerable people. A thorough induction process was undertaken prior to employees commencing independent working.

Is the service effective?

We spoke with two staff members who demonstrated a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Feedback from questionnaires indicated a high level of satisfaction with the service delivery.

The two people who used the service with whom we spoke had been in receipt of support for a number of years. They felt their support was delivered in line with their needs and wishes and were happy to continue to be supported by the service on an on-going basis.

Is the service well-led?

There was a registered manager in place who was appropriately registered with CQC.

There were three monthly staff appraisals where individual issues, service user issues and training were discussed and addressed. Staff meetings were also held on a regular basis where more general concerns could be dealt with.

The quality assurance systems in evidence demonstrated a significant amount of monitoring, analysis and appropriate response to any shortfalls identified.

During the inspection we spoke to clients, relatives and staff about their experiences and we received positive feedback on the services provided. One person told us "The staff are great they always ask us if we are ok and give us the choice of a bath or shower, they are never in a rush, or it does not feel like they are. They are very polite and caring". A relative told us "My X is over a hundred and is very satisfied with the care she receives she is very alert and would let me and them know if she was not happy". Staff told us that they received training appropriate to their roles and they felt very supported and enjoyed their work.

We found the service had appropriate systems in place to effectively monitor the quality of the service provided.

Satisfaction questionnaires were used to gain feedback about the service from both clients and their next of kin or representatives. Any comments were actioned at staff meetings and changes made where appropriate.