25 November 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 25 November 2015 and was announced.
Signature Care Services Ltd provides personal care for people in their own home. There were 22 people receiving services for which CQC registration was required at the time we inspected.
A registered manager was in post at the time of our inspection. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were protected from the risk of potential abuse and told us they felt safe in the company of staff because of the way staff cared for them. Plans to manage people’s individual risks were in place, and people talked about the best way to manage their risks with staff, who took action to care for them in a way which promoted their safety. There were enough staff employed to care for people and chat to them so they did not become isolated. Most people liked the independence that looking after their own medicines gave them. Some people had requested that staff remind them to take their medicines and this was done. Staff supported some people by administering their medicines.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to care for people effectively. Staff received regular training based on the needs of people using the service.
Staff knew the histories and preferences of the people they were supporting and provided care in a way that way that meet individual people’s needs. People had been involved in making decisions about how their care was delivered on a daily basis, and through their assessments, care planning and care plan reviews. People were encouraged to make choices about the food they ate and staff knew if they had any dietary requirements. People were supported by staff to maintain their health.
People’s consent was appropriately obtained by staff when caring for them. If people’s ability to make decisions changed, senior staff involved people’s relatives and other professionals, so that care would continue to be delivered in the best way for people.
People received care from staff who took time to get to know them. People had developed good relationships with staff who were caring. Staff supported people to maintain their dignity and people were confident that staff respected their right to confidentiality.
The registered manager, provider’s representative and senior staff met regularly with people to check they were receiving care in the way they wanted. People and their family members were encouraged to give feedback on the quality of the service. Senior staff made sure regular checks were completed to monitor the quality of the care, and staff members were aware of and implemented the values demonstrated by senior staff.