We reviewed all the information we hold about this provider, carried out a visit on 3 January 2012, talked with six people who use services, four care workers and the deputy manager and administrator. We checked the provider's records, and looked at records of people who use services. Many people told us that the staff that visit them are good timekeepers, reporting that whilst visits can be late occasionally, the agency always telephones to warn them of this. People were positive about the carers themselves saying that they had no complaint about them or the care provided.
The registered manager was not available on the day of the inspection. The deputy manager told us that she will be applying to be the registered manager. We were told by the deputy manager that she is having difficulties finding the time to manage the agency, while having to care for people in the community at the same time, and this shows in the lack of supervision for staff and the lack of detail in care plans.
The deputy manager told us that Kernow Home Care Ltd was a good agency, and that they always put their clients first. Other staff we spoke to confirmed this, saying they enjoyed working for the agency. One person who has worked for the agency for some years said that the staff genuinely cared.