10 November 2016
During a routine inspection
Trends Healthcare provides a domiciliary care service (DCA) registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection six people were using the service.
A registered manager was in post who was also the owner of the business. 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.
Although the service was registered with the Care Quality Commission on 5 August 2014, at the time of our inspection the service had been operational for five months. The service was in the process of developing its quality assurance systems to improve robustness and drive improvements.
People and their relatives told us they felt safe. Staff were aware of their responsibilities to keep people safe and to protect them from harm and abuse. Risks to people were well managed and assessments were undertaken to keep people safe. The provider had effective recruitment processes in place which ensured people were protected from the risk of avoidable harm. Medication management, where required, was good and people received their medication safely.
Staff received support to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. Care plans contained sufficient information to enable staff to care for people safely. Systems were in place for care plans to be regularly reviewed. People told us they were very happy with the care and support they received and that they were treated with dignity and respect. Where required, people’s nutritional needs were met. People were supported to access health services. The registered manager and staff demonstrated a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005.
Staff were caring and kind and knew the people they cared for well. People who used the service, and their relatives, provided us with very positive feedback. They told us they received a reliable service and received a good standard of care from staff.
There was a complaints system in place and people told us that they were confident that any concerns would be listened to and acted upon.
Staff told us they felt valued and enjoyed working for the service and shared the registered manager’s commitment to providing a high quality service to people.