Archived: Homecare UK (Dagenham)

At our last comprehensive inspection on 22 December 2016, we found a breach of regulation relating to pre-employment checks. The service had not followed its own policy and procedure with regard to obtaining references during the staff recruitment process. During this inspection we found improvements had been made.

The service had a registered manager. The registered manager also worked as a care worker and was the only person employed by the service. 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 legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the associated regulations on how the service is run.

Risks had been identified and assessments had been carried out to reduce these. The registered manager was aware of how to identify abuse and knew who to report abuse to within the organisation and externally. Staff and the people they supported had no concerns with staffing levels. People did not raise any concerns about time-keeping and attendance by staff. Pre-employment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were fit and suitable to provide care and support to people safely.

Staff had received training required to perform their roles effectively. People were supported by staff who felt supported. Supervisions were being carried out regularly. Staff were aware of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People had capacity to make their own choices. Staff knew the signs if people were not well and how to access relevant health services. The service offered people choices with meal times and knew people’s preferences.

Staff had positive relationships with the people they supported. People’s privacy and dignity was respected by staff. Care plans were person centred and detailed people’s preferences, interests and support needs. People were involved with making decisions on their care. There was a complaints policy in place and staff were aware on how to manage complaints, which was in accordance with the complaints policy.

The registered manager felt supported by the provider and told us the culture was open and transparent. People’s feedbacks were sought from regular reviews with the registered manager and provider to identify areas for improvement. Quality assurance systems were in place that included auditing care plans, which was then fed back to staff.

The service had a registered manager, however, they were no longer involved with the service. An acting manager was in place and the nominated individual told us it was planned that this person would apply to become the registered manager in the near future. 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.

We found one breach of regulations during this inspection. The service had not followed its own policy and procedure with regard to obtaining references during the staff recruitment process. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this report.

There were enough staff working at the service to meet people’s needs. Appropriate safeguarding procedures were in place and people told us they felt safe using the service. Risk assessments provided information about how to support people in a safe manner.

Staff undertook an induction training programme on commencing work at the service and received on-going training after that. People were able to make choices for themselves where they had the capacity to do so and the service operated within the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where people were supported with food preparation they were able to choose what they ate and drank. People were supported to access relevant health care professionals.

People told us they were treated with respect and that staff were caring. Staff had a good understanding of how to promote people’s privacy, independence and dignity.

People’s needs were assessed before they began using the service. Care plans were in place which set out how to meet people’s individual needs. The service had a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to make a complaint.

Staff and people spoke positively about the registered manager. Systems were in place to seek the views of people on the running of the service.