Archived: Somerset Care Community (Crewkerne)

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people of all ages living in their own homes in the community. Not everyone using the service received the regulated activity; Personal care. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

At the time of this inspection Somerset Care Community (Crewkerne) was providing care to 174 people in their homes. The service covers a large geographical area and therefore the staff are split into smaller teams. One small team provides an enablement service for four to six weeks for people have been discharged from hospital but require a period of support to regain their independence.

There was a registered manager 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.

This is the first inspection of the location since it was registered with the Care Quality Commission in November 2016.

Somerset Community Care (Crewkerne) had systems in place to listen to people’s views and identify shortfalls in the service. The systems had identified some issues, such as inconsistent timings of visits and the need to improve communication. The registered manager and provider had a commitment to making improvements and were taking action to address issues. One person told us, “It’s changed recently, It’s wonderful now.”

The provider took steps to make sure people received a safe service. They had policies and procedures which minimised risks and worked with other professionals to make sure people were protected. People felt safe with the staff who supported them. One person told us, “I feel totally safe with the staff who come to me.”

People were supported by kind and caring staff who were competent in their roles. Staff received training which enabled them to safely support people and to meet specific needs. People told us, staff supported them to maintain their independence and adjusted care in line with their changing needs.

There were occasions when staff went over and above their job role to make sure people were supported. During a period of bad weather some staff, including office based staff, walked for several miles in the snow to make sure people were safe.

People were supported in a way that respected their dignity and privacy. Staff were respectful of people’s homes as well as the people they were supporting. One person said, “I think they are respectful and treat me with respect.”

People’s care and support was planned with them and each person had a care plan which gave clear details of how staff should support the person. Care was provided in accordance with people’s wishes and was respectful of their individual beliefs and lifestyle choices.

People could be confident that at the end of their life they would receive professional compassionate care. Staff received training on how to support people at the end of their life and worked with other professionals to maintain people’s comfort.

Staff supported people with routine healthcare needs and responded appropriately if people were unwell. Staff liaised with other professionals to make sure people had the support and equipment they required to promote their independence. All staff were trained to support people with medicines if people needed help with this.

The provider had a formal complaints procedure which ensured all complaints were fully investigated. People told us when they had raised issues these had been responded to.