Archived: HC-One Beamish Homecare Limited

Updated 27 October 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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection was announced and took place on 23 August and 20 September 2017. We gave short notice that we would be visiting as we needed to be sure someone would be in at the office. The inspection was carried out by an adult social care inspector and an expert-by-experience. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection, the provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR and other information we held about the service prior to our inspection. This included the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send us within required timescales. We contacted a local authority commissioner and Healthwatch, the local consumer champion for health and social care services.

We used a range of methods to gather information and feedback about the service. During our inspection we had telephone contact with nine people using the service, two relatives and three care workers. At our visit to the office we talked with the registered manager, the interim home care manager and the regional director. We examined five people’s care records, staff recruitment, training and supervision, and reviewed other records related to the management and quality of the service.

Updated 27 October 2017

HC-One Beamish Homecare Limited provides personal care and support to mainly older people in their own homes. Services were being provided to 46 people who lived in the Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, North Tyneside and Northumberland areas.

At the last inspection in August 2015 we had rated the service as ‘Good’. At this inspection we found the service remained ‘Good’ and met each of the fundamental standards we inspected.

We found that measures were in place to ensure people using the service were safely cared for and protected from abuse. Enough staff were employed to provide reliable and consistent care. The staff team were appropriately trained and supported to meet people’s needs effectively.

People were suitably assisted, where required, in taking their prescribed medicines and maintaining their health. Staff helped with shopping and prepared food to support people’s nutritional needs.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The people we consulted were happy with their care workers and had formed good relationships. They told us they were treated as individuals, with dignity and that staff were caring and respectful.

People were given information about the service and were regularly asked for their feedback. No complaints had been received and people and their relatives had no concerns about their care.

Care plans were personalised to the individual’s preferences and the outcomes they wished to achieve. People’s services were routinely reviewed and adapted when needed, or upon request.

Positive comments were received about the companionship that care workers provided. The service was flexible in accommodating support to enable people to engage in activities and access the community.

The management provided leadership and promoted an inclusive culture. There was good governance of the service, with regular monitoring of standards and the quality of care provided.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.