21 & 28 May 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 21 & 28 May 2015 and was announced.
HomeAid Community Care Services provides care to people in their own homes. On the day of the inspection 6 people were using the service.
There was not a registered manager in post, although one had been appointed and was due to start the following month. The service was being overseen by the registered manager from the provider’s second service and the provider. 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.
People felt safe using the service. Staff were aware of what they considered to be abuse and how to report this.
Staff knew how to use risk assessments to keep people safe alongside supporting them to be as independent as possible.
There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, to support people with their needs.
Recruitment processes were robust. New staff had undertaken the providers’ induction programme and training to allow them to support people confidently.
Medicines were stored, administered and handled safely.
Staff were knowledgeable about the needs of individual people they supported. People were supported to make choices around their care and daily lives.
Staff had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when assisting people.
Staff always gained consent before supporting people.
There were policies and procedures in place in relation to the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff knew how to use them to protect people who were unable to make decisions for themselves.
People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support when required.
People had access to a variety of health care professionals if required to make sure they received on-going treatment and care.
People were treated with kindness and compassion by the staff.
People and their relatives were involved in making decisions and planning their care, and their views were listened to and acted upon.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect.
There was a complaints procedure in place which had been used effectively.
People were complimentary about the staff. It was obvious from our conversations that staff, people who used the service and the provider had good relationships.
We saw that effective quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvements.