Archived: Fountains Homecare

The service has a registered manager who is also the registered provider and they were involved directly in the running of the business and the provision of care. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered Nominated individuals, 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.

At our inspection in January 2015 we asked the provider to take action to make improvements in relation to staff supervision, staff recruitment and quality assurance and this action has been completed.

People were protected by the service’s approach to safeguarding and whistle blowing. People who used the service told us that they were safe, could raise concerns if they needed to and were listened to by staff. Staff were aware of safeguarding procedures, could describe what they would do if they thought somebody was being mistreated and said that management listened and acted upon staff feedback.

People we spoke with who received personal care felt the staff were knowledgeable, skilled and their care and support package met their needs. People who used the service told us that they had a small team of staff, who were reliable and arrived when expected. Staff confirmed that they were not rushed and had time to provide the care people expected.

Staff told us they were supported by their management and could get help and support if they needed it. Staff did receive supervision through observations and discussions that were recorded.

The service had systems to ensure staff were appropriately recruited, trained and supported. The service was introducing the Care Certificate for new staff and staff were being supported to achieve National Vocational Qualifications in health and social care.

The staff undertook the management of medicines safely and in line with people’s care plans. The service had health and safety related procedures, including systems for reporting and recording accidents and incidents. The care records we looked at included risk assessments, which had been completed to identify any risks associated with the person’s environment and delivering the person’s care.

People and staff told us when they raised any issues they were dealt with promptly and professionally and everyone we spoke with knew how to speak to the management team at the office if they had any concerns.

There were quality assurance systems in place to gain the views of people using the service and staff and the registered manager would discuss developments and issues together.

The service was an active part of the local community. We saw that the registered manager and staff were committed to supporting people to remain in their own homes with support and worked closely with local GP and district nursing services and other specialist services.

We visited the agency's office to look at records and talk to staff about how they provided safe and appropriate care to people. We spoke with five people who used the service to find out their experience of using the agency.

People we spoke with were happy with the service they received from Fountains Homecare.

Staff demonstrated they understood people's personal needs and the individual ways they communicated their needs.

We found that staff treated people with respect and gained people's consent before they supported them.

We found that staff were aware of safeguarding procedures and knew how to keep people safe. People who used the service and their relatives told us they felt safe.

We found that there was a system for monitoring the quality of the service.