Archived: Goyt Valley Carers

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.

We found that people's needs were assessed thoroughly and that care was well planned and individualised. We saw that people had detailed plans about how the support they needed and important risks that could affect them.

People's consent was obtained for their care and if they were unable to consent, for example due to dementia, the provider had appropriate systems in place in line with legal requirements.

We saw that staff received appropriate training and were regularly supervised and supported by the manager. We also saw staff were offered the opportunity to continue to develop their skills through obtaining further qualifications.

Goyt Valley Carers had an effective system in place to deal with any complaints or concerns.