Lalis Direct Care Ltd

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, 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 requires improvement. At this assessment the rating changed to good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People’s support needs and preferences were identified, and guidance was provided for staff. People and relatives confirmed they had discussed care needs and how they wanted the support to be provided with the registered manager before care started. They also told us they were involved when the care plan and risk assessments were reviewed. A relative commented, “When [my family member’s] care plan needs reviewing. Someone from the office comes to the house and we sit together and review it together.”

Staff confirmed there were care plans in people’s homes providing guidance on support needs which they read regularly. Staff members said, “Yes, each client have a detailed care plan and risk assessment in their file, and I read through” and “I read the support plan and risk assessment before supporting care and review them regularly especially after changes are made.” Care plans and risk assessment were regularly reviewed to reflect the person’s support needs.

People received evidence-based care as staff received training, guidance in care plans and support to understand of current best practice.

People and relatives explained they had a regular group of staff who provided support, so they knew the needs and preferences of the person and there was consistency in care. A relative told us, “I know where possible we have regular carers, as it is better for [my family member] and the manager knows this.” The registered manager explained they supported staff with keeping up to date with best practice through training, supervision, appraisals and competency checks.

Staff confirmed they had completed a range of training covering people’s medical conditions and how to support people with a learning disability. Relatives told us, “The carers who used to look after [my family member] must have had training in how to look after people with dementia as all of them really know how to get the best out of [my family member]“, and “[My family member] used to be lifted with a hoist and the carers knew automatically how to use it. They must receive in house training.”

Staff told us they felt confident then they provided care, with a staff member telling us, “I am very confident [when providing care] because I follow detailed care plans, understand [people’s] medical conditions and support them regularly, which helps me build a good understanding of their needs.” People’s care plans identified if the person required support with meal preparation with a specific section relating to nutrition and any food preferences. People and relatives told us that when staff provided support with preparing meals the food was presented in a way to encourage people to eat. Staff confirmed they completed training on food hygiene and nutrition.

The provider had processes to support staff to work well together and communicate information about the care being provided. Staff completed records of the care provided which could be reviewed by other staff who supported the person. These records were reviewed regularly by senior staff to ensure the care provided reflected the person’s care plan.

The registered manager told us if there was a change in a person’s care needs this was discussed directly with the staff involved. Staff told us they felt supported and there was a good communication system, with a staff member saying, “The best thing [about working at the service] is the supportive management and good communication.”

The staff identified and monitored any medical conditions people were living with and supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. People’s care plans identified any medical conditions they had and provided staff with guidance on symptoms and possible impacts on the person and their care needs. The registered manager explained they identified if a person required additional support with medical appointments as part of their initial assessment. Staff would ensure the person’s care visit time was adjusted so they could attend any medical appointments. People’s care plans identified any healthcare professionals and their contact information who were involved in the person’s care.

People’s care plans included information to enable staff to monitor people’s health and wellbeing in relation to outcomes. The care provided by staff during each visit was recorded and monitored to ensure it met their current support needs. Staff demonstrated they understood how to raise any concerns or if they identified any changes in the person’s care needs. People’s care plans included information on how staff could support people to achieve outcomes related to aspects of their care.

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment. The provider had a process to identify if a person was able to make informed decisions and to consent to their care. People and relatives said they were involved in the development of the care plan and staff supported people to make choices.

Staff confirmed they completed training in relation to mental capacity and understood how to support people to make choices about their care. A staff member told us, “I understand how to apply the Mental Capacity Act (2005) when providing care, including supporting people to make their own decisions and acting in their best interests when needed.” The registered manager told us if a person was identified as being unable to make decisions about their care they would carry a mental capacity assessment. Decisions about the person’s care would be made in the person’s best interests.