The inspection was conducted by an inspector who gathered evidence against the outcomes we inspected to help answer our five key questions; Is the service safe? Is the service caring? Is the service effective? Is the service responsive? Is the service well led? During the inspection we reviewed six people's care files, spoke with four people using the service, people's representatives and members of staff. We also reviewed policies and records relating to people using the service, staff and management of the service.
Below is a summary of what we found. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read our full report.
Is the service safe?
People told us they felt safe. One person told us, 'I definitely feel safe and if I didn't I'd be straight on the phone." There were policies and procedures in place to minimise the risk of people being abused and staff knew the action to take if they suspected a person using the service was at risk of abuse. Proof of identity was required and criminal record checks were conducted before staff were allowed to work with people. Staff had received training in safeguarding vulnerable adults and in the main principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
People's needs were adequately assessed and care and treatment was appropriately planned to ensure people's safety. Risk assessments were conducted which identified risks and gave care staff information on how to manage the identified risks. We found that staff received appropriate training, supervision and professional development to do their job safely and to an appropriate standard.
Is the service caring?
We spoke with four people who use the service about the staff who cared for them and the quality of care. People said the staff were caring. Comments we received included, 'X is kind and caring. I'm completely comfortable with her." 'The carers are very good" and 'The carers are very good, very willing."
Staff we spoke with were all experienced carers who told us they knew the needs of the people they cared for and enjoyed caring them. People told us they were contacted regularly by one of the managers to find out if they were happy with their care.
Is the service effective?
People's needs were appropriately assessed and reviewed. The care plans and risk assessments we looked at were personalised and reflected people's individual needs. People thought that staff had the necessary skills and experience to do their job and that they did their job well.
People who used the service were satisfied with the way their care was delivered. Comments we received included, 'I'm happy with the service. I've had the same carer for over two years, she knows what I need and just gets on with it." 'They arrive on time and know what they are doing." We also spoke to people's representatives and their comments about the service were positive.
Is the service responsive?
The care plans we reviewed reflected people's assessed needs. As well as people's medical and personal care needs, people's care assessments considered a variety of other needs. For example, people using the service were asked to complete a cultural and religious questionnaire so that their dietary requirements, religious and cultural needs could be taken into account in their care planning.
People using the service were given information on who to contact if they wanted to make a complaint or comment about the care they received. People were confident that any concerns they had regarding their care would be dealt with appropriately. Staff told us that every person using the service had been visited since our last inspection to have their care needs reviewed. We saw confirmation of this in all of the care files we looked at. Staff told us care plans would be reviewed every six months or when they were aware of a change in a person's need.
Is the service well-led?
Several new systems had been implemented since our last inspection which had improved the management of the service. Management met regularly with staff and staff were appropriately trained and supported through supervision and appraisal. Staff told us they felt supported by the management team in relation to their responsibilities.
Senior staff had regular contact with people using the service to get their feedback. Staff rotas were organised so as to ensure people were regularly cared for by the same staff who knew and understood their needs. There were systems in place to check staff arrived on time and delivered the care people had requested as set out in their care plan.