Archived: Diagonal Alternatives LLP

We carried out an inspection of Diagonal Alternatives LLP on 12, 19 and 28 August 2015. The inspection was announced. This was to ensure there would be someone present to assist us. We last inspected Diagonal Alternatives LLP on 14 January 2013 and found the service was meeting the legal requirements in force at that time.

Diagonal Alternatives LLP provides personal care for people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were 20 people in receipt of a service and 20 staff employed. Personal care was provided to people across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, primarily privately or by direct payment or personal budget arrangements. A small number of care hours were provided under contract with the local authority.

The service had a registered manager in post. 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 told us they felt safe and were well cared for. Staff knew about safeguarding vulnerable adults. The one alert we received during the past year had been dealt with appropriately, which helped to keep people safe.

We were told staff provided care safely and we found staff were subject to robust recruitment checks. Arrangements for managing people’s medicines were also safe. Appropriate processes were in place for the administration of medicines. Medicines records were accurate.

Staff obtained people’s consent before providing care. Arrangements were in place to assess people’s mental capacity and to identify if decisions needed to be taken on behalf of a person in their best interests. The registered manager was aware of when people were subject to a power of attorney.

Staff had completed relevant training for their role and they were well supported by the management team. Training included care and safety related topics.

Staff were aware of people’s nutritional needs and made sure they were supported with meal preparation and food shopping where necessary. People’s health needs were identified and staff worked with other professionals to ensure these were addressed.

People had opportunities to participate in activities and in accessing their local communities. Without exception, everyone spoken with praised the kind and caring approach of staff. Staff explained clearly how people’s privacy and dignity were maintained.

Staff understood the needs of people and we saw detailed assessments were undertaken before packages of care were developed. Care plans were detailed and person centred. People’s relatives spoke highly about the care provided.

The relatives and staff spoken with had confidence in the registered manager and felt the service had good leadership. We found there were effective systems to assess and monitor the quality of the service, which included feedback from people receiving care.