Archived: De Vere Care

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered care homes, 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 were cared for by staff who had an understanding of their needs and who demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding people from different types of potential abuse and how to respond. People had their individual risks assessed and had plans in place to manage the risks. Medicines were administered by staff that had received training to do this. The provider had procedures in place to check that people received their medicines as prescribed to effectively and safely meet their health needs.

Staff had been recruited following appropriate checks and the provider had arrangements in place to make sure that there was sufficient staff to provide support to people in their own homes. People told us they received care from care staff who understood their preferences for care and support. However, some people had concerns about the practice and communication of the service when their regular care workers were unavailable or at weekends. We were not assured that people were always contacted whenever their regular care worker was sick or not working because people told us that they did not know if a replacement carer was going to be provided. This meant that the service was not always responsive.

People were listened to by staff and were involved in making decisions about their care and support. Care staff were caring and supportive in the service they provided. Care workers provided support that ensured people were treated with privacy and dignity. People were supported by care staff to maintain their independence. People were encouraged to express their views and give feedback about their care. They told us that care staff listened to them and they felt confident they could raise any issues should the need arise and that action would be taken. Care staff felt supported by the registered manager and that the registered provider gave them opportunities to develop in their roles. The registered provider was committed to improving the service and the quality of care provided to people. The provider ensured regular checks were completed to monitor the care that people received and look at where improvements could be made.

We found one area where we have made a recommendation to the service, which is detailed in the report.

We found that people were involved in making decisions about their own treatment and care and that care was planned and delivered according to assessed need. One person said "they are really very good". However, some people told us that occasionally staff arrived late especially at weekends, meaning that they experienced disruption to their daily routine.

Staff were appropriately recruited, trained and supported to deliver care and treatment which met people's needs. People's complaints were listened to and acted upon promptly and there were quality checks in place to ensure that people received safe care that met their needs.