We carried out a review of the data available to us about Home Instead Senior Care North Oxfordshire on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Home Instead Senior Care North Oxfordshire, you can give feedback on this service.
Home Instead Senior Care North Oxfordshire are a domiciliary care agency (DCA). The service provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. At the time of our inspection the service supported 36 people. People had a range of health needs with some people living with the experience of dementia.
Rating at last inspection:
At the last inspection the service was rated good (report published 2 September 2016). For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk At this inspection we rated the service outstanding.
People’s experience of using this service:
¿ People using this service received exceptional care from a well led service. People consistently told us how they were supported with great kindness and respect. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from people, relatives and professionals on how staff had developed caring relationships with people and their relatives.
¿ The culture of the service was one of building positive relationships with people, assisting them wherever possible and going the extra mile to make sure people were happy and safe. People spoke about looking forward to the visits from staff. One person told us, “Wonderful service, fabulous staff and management.”
¿ People were placed at the centre of the service and were consulted on every level. Respect for privacy and dignity was at the heart of the service's culture and values. Everyone told us staff asked them before carrying out tasks and involved people in deciding on how they wanted to be supported.
¿ The service was exceedingly well run. Staff and the registered manager shared the visions and values of the service and these were embedded within service delivery. There were systems to assess the quality of the service provided. The registered manager and director worked hands on with the staff team, training staff to a high standard, knowing people's needs and ensuring these were being met.
¿ Staff worked in partnership with external health and social care professionals to ensure they supported people well. The lessons were learnt where appropriate to improve the service further.
¿ People were supported by consistent and very well trained staff. There was a particularly strong emphasis on continuous improvement with staff attending training on a range of subjects to ensure they supported people appropriately. This included the provider supporting staff to study for additional qualifications in areas such as end of life care. Staff spoke highly of the support they received. They confirmed they had regular supervision to ensure they carried out their roles effectively. Staff said they enjoyed the work especially as visits were no less than one hour and so staff could carry out all their tasks and spend time with people.
¿ People and their relatives told us they received safe care. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to protecting people from the risk of harm. Risks to people's well-being and their environment were detailed and updated when the circumstances changed. People received support to take their medicines safely and as prescribed. Regular checks on staff and their ability to do their jobs in a safe way meant people could be reassured they were receiving good quality care.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up:
We will monitor all intelligence received about the service to inform the assessment of the risk profile of the service and to ensure the next planned inspection is scheduled accordingly.
More information is in Detailed Findings below.
There was 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 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.
People who used the service felt safe. The staff had a clear understanding of how to safeguard people and protect them from harm. Staff had a good understanding of their responsibilities to report any suspected abuse. The service had sufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff to meet people’s needs. People and staff were confident they could raise any concerns and these would be dealt with. The provider had systems in place to manage and support safe administration of medicines.
People had a range of individualised risk assessments in place to keep them safe and to help them maintain their independence. Where required, staff involved a range of other professionals in people’s care.
People’s needs were assessed and care plans enabled staff to understand how to support people. Changes in people’s needs were identified through regular reviews. People's interests and preferences were discussed during assessments and these were used to plan their care. The service was flexible and responded positively to people’s requests.
The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). The MCA provides a legal framework to assess people’s capacity to make certain decisions, at a certain time. People were asked for their consent before care was carried out.
People felt supported by competent staff. Staff benefitted from regular supervision (one to one meetings with their line manager) and yearly appraisals to reflect on their practice and develop their skills. Staff received training specific to people’s needs.
People and their relatives described the staff as good and providing very good care. People felt they were treated with kindness and their privacy and dignity were always respected. Staff had developed positive relationships with people.
The registered manager informed us of all notifiable incidents. The service had quality assurances in place. The registered manager had a clear plan to develop and improve the service. Staff spoke positively about the management and direction they had from the registered manager. The service had systems to enable people to provide feedback on the support they received.
The registered manager and director had a clear vision for the service which was shared throughout the staff team. The vision was promoting independence and allowing people to live a normal life. This was embedded within staff practices and evidenced through people’s care plans. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and the director.
Leadership within the service was open and transparent at all levels. The provider had systems to enable people and their relatives to provide feedback on the support they received. The feedback was acted upon when required.