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Archived: Knightsbridge Care Services

380 Gospel Lane, Acocks Green, Birmingham, West Midlands, B27 7AN (0121) 693 0181

Provided and run by:
Mr Martyn Carey Baker & Elizabeth Baker

Important: The provider of this service changed. See new profile

All Inspections

During a check to make sure that the improvements required had been made

Following our inspection of Knightsbridge Care Services on 6th January 2014 we asked the provider to take steps to ensure that a shortfall in the safe recruiting of staff was put right. This was because vulnerable people had been put at risk when the appointment of one person had not been done in a robust and clear manner. The appointment had not been overseen by someone whose judgement was not compromised by their relation with the person appointed.

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The provider responded with an action plan and details of a revised recruitment policy. This included more robust procedures with regards to employing family members and the process that must be adhered to in those circumstances. They also updated their risk assessment on ex-offenders. This included ensuring all discussions regarding criminal convictions were in written form and logged on interview. We saw the policy regarding employment of family members had also been added to the Employee Handbook so all staff were aware of the procedures they must follow when recommending family members for employment.

We contacted the provider who was able to confirm that the new procedures were fully part of the revised recruitment process.

We were satisfied that the new procedures put in place meant that people using the service were no longer at risk because staff were no longer appointed without a proper and clearly recorded assessment of their suitability for the post.

6 January 2014

During a routine inspection

We spoke with ten users of the service and four staff by phone and visited the offices of Knightsbridge Care Services. We looked at records and spoke with the manager, the registered provider and another member of the care staff. We also visited one of the users of the service who was supported on a twenty four hour basis and spoke with a staff member who supported them.

People who used the service told us they were satisfied with the care and support they received. Typical comments from people included:

'Everything's fine. They know what they're doing,'

'Happy with the service, no problems,'

'We're very happy with them. We get to know them, very nice.'

Staff told us they were well trained and supported. We spoke with two relatively new staff members who told us of the recruitment and induction process. One member of staff told us, 'We get the training we need.'

There was one safeguarding concern which was current. This related to a whistleblowing that had indicated concerns over a staff member. Staff had found it difficult to voice their concerns within the service because of the person's close connection with a senior staff member. The person had been recruited by them without referral to the registered provider, who could have taken a more neutral view of their application. Robust consideration of the person's application and employment was compromised by their relation to the person vetting their application.

26 June 2012

During an inspection looking at part of the service

We spoke by phone with eight people who are supported by the service, as well as speaking with one person using the service who visited the office, supported by a member of staff, during our visit. The majority of people we spoke with were elderly people who use the service directly, or their partners who are main carers and rely on the service for particular tasks.

Responses we got from all were favourable. Only one person expressed a concern that one visit had been earlier than wished for. This was in a context of overall satisfaction with the service. People all said that the staff were on time, did the tasks that they were required to do, and knew what was needed to be done and did it in a competent, friendly, respectful manner. One person highlighted that the service was able to respond on several occasions when they had called them out urgently to help deal with the sudden consequences of sickness.

Frequently heard were comments about the staff knowing to do, doing everything that was needed, and asking what they wanted. 'Friendly, polite, clear what to do' was a typical comment. One person was fulsome in their praise: 'very nice, very happy with them. Only praise for the service; always on time, always ask if there's anything else to do.'

13, 17 October 2011

During a routine inspection

People said that the care workers who assisted them with their personal care were kind and knew what they were doing. One person said their care worker was: "Golden."

Some people and / or their relatives did not know when they should receive help. They said that this made it difficult for them. People said that they did not always get the length of calls that had been arranged and for some people what they had paid for. Some people felt their care was rushed.

People did not always receive personal care from a small number of known care workers. One person found that this made them feel unsafe about opening the door to care workers.