The Pines Home Care

Updated 18 October 2017

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 was 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.

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 the notifications the service had sent us since we carried out our last inspection. These had not included any substantiated safeguarding allegations. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

This inspection took place on 27 March 2017 and was carried out by two inspectors. A day’s notice was given prior to the inspection to ensure the registered manager would be available. Before the inspection surveys we sent survey forms to 14 people who used the service, 50 members of staff and to 19 community professionals. We received responses from five people, 16 staff and four community professionals. As part of the inspection we visited three people at their homes and spoke with six members of staff. The two registered managers assisted with the office based staff throughout the inspection.

We looked at people’s care and support records, medication administration records and records relating to the management of the service. These including staffing rotas, staff recruitment and training records, a selection of the provider’s audits, policies and quality assurance surveys.

Updated 18 October 2017

This inspection was announced and took place on 27 March 2017.

There was a registered manager who had been in post. 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 service provides personal care for people with a learning disability in their home.

Relatives told us they felt their family members were safe when receiving support from the agency. Staff knew how to recognise and respond to any signs of abuse.

Risks to people’s safety were assessed and managed to minimise risks. Staff followed any risk management plans in place for people.

Medicines were managed safely and stored securely. People received their medicines as prescribed by their GP.

Staff knew people well and understood their needs and the way they communicated. People received care and support in a personalised way. This meant people were able to increase their independence, achieve and try new experiences. The impact this had on the individuals was outstanding and had resulted in them being settled, content and calm and helped them to lead full and active lives.

Staff were caring and treated people with dignity and respect. People and staff had good relationships. People were supported to take part in activities and try new experiences and to access the community.

People received the health, personal and social care support they needed. People’s health conditions were monitored to make sure they kept well.

Staff received an induction, core training and some specialist training so they had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. Staff were recruited safely and people were involved in the recruitment of staff. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs.

The service was very well-managed with a clear management structure in place so that people received a personalised service.

There were systems in place to monitor and drive improvements in the safety and quality of the service provided.