Archived: Goyt Valley Carers

Updated 16 July 2016

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 is 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 took place on 4 April 2016. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service where the registered manager is often out all day; and we needed to be sure that someone would be available.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector who spoke with three carers, four people who used the service, four relatives of people using the service and the registered manager.

We reviewed the care records for four people; we looked at four staff files and other records relating to the management and delivery of the service. For example: policies and procedures, rotas, training records and minutes of meetings. We contacted external agencies who worked with Goyt Valley Carer's, to gather feedback on the service. We also reviewed notifications and other information that had been sent to us by the registered manager or people who used the service, through questionnaires or share your experience forms. A notification is information that providers are obliged to tell us, about incidents and changes that have occurred within the service.

Updated 16 July 2016

The inspection took place on 4 April 2016 and the provider was given 48 hours’ notice. This was because the service is a community based service and we needed to make sure the registered manager was available.

Goyt Valley Carers is registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes. They operate in the High Peak and surrounding areas of North Derbyshire. It is a small service with eleven people receiving personal care and nine staff including the registered manager. 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 received care from kind and friendly staff who promoted their rights and independence. Staff told us they enjoyed their work and were well supported by the registered manager. Medicines were managed safely and staff received appropriate training to give them the skills and knowledge to support people competently and keep appropriate records. People were supported to access other healthcare services in order to ensure all their healthcare needs were identified and met.

The registered manager had a structured recruitment process in place however they had not always followed safe recruitment practice and staff did not always have an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in place when they started lone working. The registered manager assessed staff members as suitable to work with people following a period of supported induction.

Staff had access to on-going training that was arranged to meet the needs of the people they cared for. For example staff received training in ‘managing medications’, ‘dementia care’ and ‘safeguarding adults’. People received care from staff members who were sufficiently trained to meet their individual needs effectively and keep them safe. Staff understood the principles of consent and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and they made sure people were happy to receive care and consented before care was given.

Staff cared about the people who used the service and developed positive, compassionate relationships with people. People looked forward to the carer’s visits and enjoyed time spent with them. People’s dignity and privacy was promoted. People were supported to maintain their independence.

Staff understood the wishes, preferences and needs of people and responded appropriately to changing needs or behaviour. Care plans were reviewed if care needs changed or periodically to ensure they remained relevant and up-to-date. The registered manager conducted an annual satisfaction audit and responded to any suggestions or concerns raised through this process.

The registered manager had an open and inclusive style of management and staff felt supported and motivated to develop themselves and the service. People who used the service knew how to complain or make suggestions and were happy to do so. Most people felt the registered manager understood their needs and had a positive relationship with them.

There were quality audits in place however, they were not always effective in identifying areas for development. For example, staff supervisions were not always recorded in such a way as to promote personal development or manage performance. The registered manager advised us that they would review their recording systems.