17 October 2018
During a routine inspection
Homestead Care Service Limited provides care and support to people living in their own home. Not everyone using Homestead Care Service Limited receives regulated activity; the CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of this inspection there were 230 people using the service.
There was a registered manager in place. 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 provider had policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding adults. The registered manager and staff were aware of procedures to follow to safeguard people. Potential risks to people were assessed to ensure they remained safe.
System was in place to manage accidents and incidents and learn from them so they were less likely to happen again.
There were sufficient numbers of skilled and experienced staff to meet people’s needs. Checks had been carried out on staff before they started to work to make sure they were suitable to work with people who used the service.
There were systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines safely. People were supported to have a healthy and nutritious diet.
People’s needs were assessed and care and support was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan. The management team worked with other professionals and this helped to ensure people received the support they needed to maintain their health.
Staff were knowledgeable about people they supported. People commented that staff had good relationships with them. They were encouraged to make informed decisions about their care and support. Before people received any care or support they were routinely asked for their consent. The provider had systems in place to support people who lacked capacity to make decisions for themselves.
People were supported by staff that promoted independence, respected their dignity and maintained their privacy. They were encouraged to participate in activities that were meaningful to them.
Staff were supported to maintain and develop their skills through training and development opportunities.
People and their relatives felt the service was well run and they could discuss any issues with the registered manager. Confidentiality of people’s personal information was maintained.
There were systems in place to gain the views of people and their relatives about the service. People and relatives told us they were satisfied with the care and support provided by staff. They knew who to speak to if they were unhappy or had any concerns. The provider always welcomed suggestions on how they could develop the service and make improvements.