- Homecare service
Positive Steps Shropshire Limited
Report from 9 July 2025 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Positive Steps Shropshire Limited is a Domiciliary Care Agency (DCA) registered to provide personal care. People were supported with their personal care needs to enable them to live in their own homes and promote their independence. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people received personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. Positive Steps Shropshire Limited is also registered to provide supported living as part of a shared lives scheme. A shared lives scheme provides people with long-term placements, short breaks and respite care, within shared lives carers (SLC) own homes.
However, at the time of this inspection Positive Steps Shropshire Limited were not providing this element of their registration. Therefore, this inspection focused on reporting on the DCA element of their registration only. At the time of the inspection 9 people received personal care.
We assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.
The provider had developed the service in line with the key principles of choice, independence and inclusion. Positive Steps Shropshire Limited was exceptionally person-centred. This was confirmed by all those we spoke with who stated staff knew them extremely well and supported them whilst respecting what was important to them. People were supported to avoid social isolation and encouraged to engage in vocational and educational activities which increased self-esteem, personal image, confidence and brought them joy.
People’s needs were at the forefront of every provider interaction with them. Staff were extremely responsive to their individual needs and were quick to identify changes which were acted on promptly.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. The providers policies and procedures supported this. People were encouraged to take responsibility for decisions and staff supported them to identify potential benefits and costs so they could make informed choices.
People were supported by an exceptionally kind, compassionate and engaging staff team which was evident across all levels of Positive Steps Shropshire Limited. People had their dignity and privacy respected and promoted by those supporting them. People were supported by staff who were skilled, engaging and motivated in their work.
People had detailed individual care plans and risk assessments which they developed alongside staff and the management team. These care plans were tailored to highlight and meet their personal identity, culture, and emotional needs. When people’s needs changed, staff responded promptly to implement the necessary changes. Where it was appropriate information was communicated, with the person’s permission, to other community-based partnerships and professionals to ensure continuity of care.
The provider actively recruited staff members who shared their values of honesty, reliability and excellence. People were supported by staff who reflected these values when supporting them.
People had support, when needed, with their medicines by a trained and competent staff team who had been safely recruited.
People’s individual communication needs were assessed and understood by staff. This adapted and flexible communication assessment supported people to increase self esteem and promoted confidence and personal growth.
The provider had effective quality monitoring systems in place which identified and drove improvements in people’s experiences. The provider had systems in place to share best practices and learning with other care providers. The provider had systems in place to gather the views of people, staff and associated healthcare partners. They used this information to review and, where needed, improve the experiences of people.
People's experience of this service
People were consistent throughout this inspection on the gratitude and admiration of the support and assistance they had received from Positive Steps Shropshire Limited. People were supported by staff who knew them extremely well and who respected them as individuals. People consistently told us staff respected their dignity and encouraged their personal growth. One person told us they had almost given up on their health and they had previously had negative experiences. However, since Positive Steps Shropshire Limited had been supporting them, they felt able to make positive changes and improve their health.
People were actively involved in developing their care and support plans which not only covered their personal care but their hopes and aspirations for the future. This was supported by a consistent staff team who encouraged and motivated them to achieve what they previously thought impossible.
People stated the staff supporting them were kind, engaging, friendly and inspired them to make positive changes. One person said, “I don’t know where I would be now if it wasn’t for [staff member’s name]”.
Everyone we spoke with felt safe from the risks of ill treatment and abuse. One person said, “I feel if I was ever worried about anything I could use the out of hours phone number and I would feel safe.” The management team acted promptly when concerns were raised, to keep people safe. Positive Steps Shropshire Limited supported openness and was responsive to comments and suggestions for improvement.
People told us they were regularly engaged in how the service was run and asked for their opinions which were valued and helped to shape the service they received.