31 January 2019
During a routine inspection
People’s experience of using this service:
People we met and spoke with were happy with the care agency and the staff that provided their care. One person told us, “[Staff] help me to do what I want to do.”
People were safe using the agency because staff knew what they were doing, they had been trained and visited people to learn how to care for them before having to do so. There were enough staff, and the registered manager also visited people regularly. Key recruitment checks were obtained before new staff started work.
People told us they always received their medicines and that staff knew how these should be given. Medicine records were completed accurately and with enough detail. Staff supported people with meals and drinks. They did this in a hygienic way, using protective equipment, such as gloves and aprons. Staff followed advice from health care professionals and made sure they asked people’s consent before caring for them.
People liked the staff that cared for them. One person told us, “I like the care staff”, and went on to tell us that staff supported them to live as they wanted. Staff were kind and caring, they involved people in their care and made sure people’s privacy was respected. Staff worked well together, they understood the agency’s aim to deliver high quality care, which helped people to continue to live in their own homes.
Systems to monitor how well the agency was operating were carried out well. Where concerns were identified, the registered manager followed this up to make sure action was taken to rectify the issue.
Rating at last inspection: This was the first inspection of this service.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the service’s registration date.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as scheduled in our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.