Archived: Mears Care South Gloucestershire

Updated 8 February 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, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was the first inspection of Mears Care South Gloucestershire since they had moved to their new location. The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has used this type of service in the past.

Prior to the inspection we looked at the information we had about the service. This information included the statutory notifications that the provider had sent to CQC. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the care coordinator and the visiting officer, the regional training officer and five care staff. We spoke with 11 people who were provided with care and support from the service. We looked at five people’s care records, six staff recruitment files and training records, key policies and procedures and other records relating to the management of the service.

We contacted social care professionals after the inspection and asked them to tell us about their experience of working with the staff from Mears Care South Gloucestershire. They provided us with positive feedback which we have included in the main report.

Updated 8 February 2017

The inspection took place on 5 and 6 January 2017 and was announced. We gave the registered manager 48 hours notice of the inspection to ensure that the people we needed to meet with were available. This was the first inspection of this service since it was registered in November 2015.

This branch of Mears Care was providing support to 80 people who lived in their own homes, at the time of the inspection. These people lived in South Gloucestershire. The service employed 28 care staff.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

People said the care they received was safe. They were happy with the care staff who were supporting them. Staff had received safeguarding adults training and knew what to do if there were concerns about a person’s welfare. They had also received moving and handling training therefore those people who required assistance to move, were supported safely. Staff were recruited following robust recruitment procedures which meant unsuitable staff could not be employed. Risk assessments were completed and management plans were put in place to manage the risk. Where required people were supported to take their medicines safely.

People received an effective service that met their care and support needs. They received the service they expected and had agreed upon. Staff were knowledgeable about the people they supported and received the appropriate training and support to enable them to undertake their roles effectively. Where identified in the assessment process, people were provided with support to have food and drink. People were supported to access health care services if needed.

People received a caring service. They reported the care staff were kind and caring and were treated with kindness and respect. Staff had good relationships with the people they were supporting. People were involved in having a say about the support they received and how their service was delivered.

People received a service that was responsive to their individual care and support needs. Assessment and care planning processes ensured that each person received the service they needed. Their preferences and choices were respected. People were provided with copies of their plans and knew what service was provided. People were asked to express their views about the service they received and were listened to.

People received a service that was well-led. The registered manager provided good leadership and management for the staff team. Recent changes to the office structure had been as a result of feedback received from people using the service and staff. The quality and safety of the service was regularly monitored and used to make improvements. The service had a plan for making improvements.