Alphacare NW

Updated 17 December 2024

Date of Assessment: 29 January to 3 February 2025. The service is a care at home service providing support to adults of all ages living with dementia, and physical disabilities, and learning disabilities. We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. People were protected and kept safe from harm. Staff managed and understood risks and said they felt well supported and that they had the right skills to do their role. People’s homes were risk assessed before care began, to ensure they were safe and hazard free for staff to work. People were now involved in assessments of their needs, which were reviewed regularly or anytime a person’s needs changed. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving services. Staff involved people who were significant in people’s lives, to support with decisions in people’s best interests where people did not have capacity. People were treated with kindness. Staff understood how to protect people’s dignity. They treated them as individuals and supported their preferences. The provider supported staff wellbeing. People were involved in planning their care and understood options around choosing to withdraw or not receive care. People knew how to give feedback and were confident the service took it seriously and acted on it. Leaders were visible, knowledgeable and supportive, helping staff develop in their roles. Staff felt supported to give feedback and were treated equally, free from bullying or harassment. Managers worked with the local community to deliver the best possible care and were receptive to new ideas. The providers approach to governance had now improved.

Updated 17 December 2024

People and their relatives told us they felt safe and well supported. Comments included, “Yes, I feel safe, the carers are great. They have been coming here for years.” A relative commented, “Yes, I do feel that [family member] is safe.” Another relative said, “I feel like [family member] is safe because they [staff] will always call and let me know if they are going to be late, which is rare, but can happen.” People and their relatives told us staff were well-skilled. A person said “Well, they [staff] have to hoist me, and I do always feel safe with them.” A relative said, “They do a really good job, [family member] can sometimes refuse things, such as food, but the staff know them well and do encourage them.” A person said the staff were ‘exceptionally’ kind and caring. They said, “They are just great, I honestly have no concerns.” A relative said, “They are all lovely. I have nothing bad to say.” People and relatives told us they liked the managers and felt the office staff were responsive. Comments included, “The care managers do a great job.” Also, “The office staff are brilliant, if there are any concerns we just call them and speak to them.” A relative commented, “I feel the office staff, and the manager does deal with things straight away. You raise it and it is pretty much sorted out for you.” People and relatives said they would recommend the service Alphacare NW to others. A person said, “I most certainly have recommended them.” A relative said, “They are a good company, like I said, we have never had any issues that were not sorted out."