10 April 2017
During a routine inspection
Somerset Care Community Care (South Hampshire) provides care and support for people who live in their own homes. The majority of people receiving care and support are older people. The office is located in Waterlooville near Portsmouth and provides services across central and east Hampshire. There were 177 people using the service when we inspected.
The service has a registered manager. 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 safeguarding policies and procedures in place. All staff received safeguarding adult's training to raise awareness of how to recognise signs of potential abuse and poor practice and what actions they would need to take. Staff told us they were confident in their understanding of abuse and how to report any suspected abuse.
The service operated safe recruitment practices to ensure staff were suitable for their role. People's needs were understood and met by sufficient numbers of skilled and experienced staff.
People were protected from the risk of harm. The provider assessed any identified risks to people and put measures in place to minimise them.
The provider had a contingency plan in place to enable the continued running of the service; should there be a need to vacant the premises used as an office base.
Staff had been trained in the safe administration of medicines.
All staff had been suitably inducted into the service and relevant training had been provided to enable them to safely support the people using the service.
People told us that staff treated them with dignity and respect. People and relatives were involved in the development of care plans and were able to express how they preferred to received care.
Care plans were detailed and informative. People's specific care needs were met during each planned visit.
Staff were supportive in helping people to maintain their independence as far as was practicable.
People were always asked for their consent before their care and support was offered. Care staff and the management team had received training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and understood its principles.
People and their relatives knew who to speak to if they wished to make a formal complaint or were unhappy with the service they received.
The service had built up strong community links with other local agencies and held regular events to promote dementia awareness.
The provider had quality assurance and data management systems in place to ensure quality of service provision.