Archived: Prestwood Community Care

Updated 16 November 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 21 September 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert By Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care services.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return. (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed information we held about the provider, in particular, any notifications about accidents, incidents, safeguarding matters or deaths. We asked the local authority for their views about the service provided. We used the information that we had gathered to plan what areas we were going to focus on during our inspection. During the inspection at the provider’s office base we spoke with the registered manager, care co-ordinator, the quality lead, and four members of care staff. Following the inspection we spoke with 12 people who used the service and six relatives by telephone.

We reviewed a range of documents and records including the care records of four people using the service, two medication administration records, two staff files, staff induction records, accident and incident records, complaints and compliments and quality audits.

We asked the provider to forward to us a copy of their medication policy following the inspection, which they did.

Updated 16 November 2016

This inspection took place on 23 September 2016 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice that we would be visiting the service. This was because we wanted to make sure staff would be available to answer any questions we had or provide information that we needed. We also wanted the registered manager to ask people who used the service if we could contact them.

The service is registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes. The service provides support to older people. At the time of the inspection the service was providing support and personal care to 28 people in their own homes.

There was a registered manager. 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.

The day to day running of the service was carried out by the care co-ordinator.

People felt safe when supported by staff in their own home and were confident that staff knew how to support them correctly and keep them safe from harm. Staff were aware of the risks to people on a daily basis and were kept informed of any changes to their needs in a timely manner. A number of staff had worked at the service for many years and which meant the provider was able to ensure people were supported consistently. People were supported safely with the medicines by staff who had been trained to do this.

Staff felt fully supported and well trained in their role. Additional training was sought by the provider to ensure staff had the skills to meet people’s specific needs. Staff received an induction that prepared them for their role and additional support was available to be them to assist with their learning.

Staff routinely obtained people’s consent prior to offering support and demonstrated a good working knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People were supported by staff who were aware of their healthcare needs and who liaised with healthcare professionals on their behalf.

People were supported by staff who were kind and caring and treated them with dignity and respect. People were involved in the planning of their care and told us staff encouraged and supported them to maintain their independence.

People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable about their likes, dislikes and how they wished to be supported. Regular reviews took place of people’s care needs and any changes responded to in a timely manner. People’s feedback was regularly sought on the service through questionnaires and meetings with the quality lead.

There was a system in place for investigating and recording complaints and people were confident that if they did raise concerns, they would be listened to.

People were complimentary about the service they received, the care staff and the care co-ordinator. Staff felt supported in their role and enjoyed working for the service.

Audits were in place to assess the quality of the service provided and where issues were identified, they were acted upon and lessons were learnt.