Archived: Local Solutions Prescot Branch

Local Solutions is a social enterprise charity organisation providing care to people in the community. With a number of branches across the North West of England, Local Solutions is registered by the Care Quality Commission to provide personal care to people in their own homes. Local Solutions Prescot Branch is managed from well-equipped offices located near to the centre of Prescot, Merseyside. Services are provided to support people to live independently in the community. At the time of this inspection approximately 320 people were using the service, supported by a team of approximately 120 staff.

A registered manager was in post, however, at the time of this inspection a new manager, now registered with the Care Quality Commission had taken over the role. 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.

At the previous inspection of this service in January 2014 we found that the registered provider was meeting all of the regulations that we assessed.

During this inspection we found that improvements were needed as to how the registered provider monitored the records of people who used the service and staff. We found that the system for monitoring these records had failed to identify areas of improvement that were needed to ensure that accurate, up to date information was available.

We have made a recommendation that the registered provider further develops their internal monitoring systems.

We have made a recommendation that the registered provider further develops their process for measuring identified risk to people. The current system failed to ensure that there was a consistent approach to measuring and minimising risks to people.

We have made a recommendation that the registered provider further develops their systems for recording information about people’s needs to ensure that up to date information is available at all times. This is because records of people’s needs were not always accurate and up to date.

People told us that they felt safe using the service. Systems were in place to help ensure that people were safeguarded from harm. This included policies and procedures for staff to follow. Staff had undertaken training in safeguarding people and they were confident about reporting any concerns.

Safe recruitment practices were in place which helped ensure that staff only suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed at the service. These safe recruitment procedures were followed. They included obtaining information about applicant’s previous employment and carrying out checks of their fitness to work with people.

The health and safety of people was protected as the registered provider had developed guidance for staff and provided them with training about how to keep people safe. Staff had access to this information and they knew what to do in an emergency situation.

People told us that staff always asked for their consent before delivering any care and support. Staff demonstrated a clear understanding of the need to ensure that people gave their consent prior to any care and support being delivered.

People were supported by staff who received training and supervision for their role. Staff confirmed that they had received the training and support they needed to carry out their role safely.

People felt they were well supported by the staff in relation to having their nutritional needs met. Care planning documents for people contained information relating to their personal nutritional needs.

People told us that staff delivering their care and support were caring and respectful when they visited their home.

People had access to information about the service. This information was in relation to the standards of care and support they should expect; important telephone numbers and information of what services can be provided.

Policies and procedures were in place to support and guide staff on best practice in their role. Having access to this information helped ensure that people received the care and support they required safely.

Recent changes had been made to the management team arrangements within the service. The registered provider had made the changes to ensure that the registered manager was available at the service at all times. There were a number of detailed monitoring systems in place which included the close monitoring of safeguarding concerns and complaints made about the service. Annual reviews of these systems were in place to ensure that they continued to be effective.

People told us that they had been satisfied with the service they had received. Their comments included, 'No faults whatsoever. Very very nice" and 'They brighten up my day.'

Staff told us that sufficient information had been provided to them to support people safely and well. Care records contained assessments and care plans listing the support people required. These had been reviewed regularly to check whether people's support needs had changed. People told us that staff had provided the support they had needed and had always been polite and respectful. One person commented, 'I am more than satisfied.'

There were sufficient, experienced staff available to provide the support that people needed. Systems were in place for checking that people received their support on time and that if a member of staff was unexpectedly unable to attend a replacement member of staff was sent.

Systems were in place and had been followed to identify and report any safeguarding adult's concerns that arose. People using the service and staff told us that they knew how to raise any concerns that they may have had.

The quality of the service had been regularly checked by the provider. This included taking action on any areas where a need for improvement had been identified.

People told us that staff supported them with their medicines. One person told us, 'All they do is collect my tablets for me as I can take them myself. Just having someone to get my tablets makes all the difference; I don't have to worry about that'. Anther person said, 'I have the same three carers all the time, they ask me if I have taken my tablets and sometimes remind me to take then before they go'.

People told us they felt safe in their home. They had arrangements in place for staff to gain entry and to keep their home secure when they left. Staff were respectful to them and their property. They were consulted all the time about the service they received and could request for changes to be made, for example times of visits, carer preference and tasks they required doing.