This inspection took place on 23 September 2015. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to know that someone would be available.
Beyea Care provides personal care support to approximately 80 people living in their own homes.
There was a registered manager in place. 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 and their relatives told us they felt safe with the care and support provided by the service. Staff knew what action to take to ensure people were protected if they suspected they were at risk of abuse. Risks to people’s health, safety and wellbeing had been assessed. Staff were given guidance on how to minimise any identified risks to keep people safe from harm or injury.
Where the service supported people with their medicines this was done in the way they preferred. However, the recording of medicines which had been administered did not meet current good practise guidelines. This was because record keeping did not a reflect what medications people had been supported to take?
Staff received appropriate training and support to meet people’s needs. Training was monitored to ensure staff skills and knowledge were kept up to date. Staff were supported by the registered manager and other senior staff to discuss any issues or concerns they had. People and their relatives said staff had a good understanding and awareness of people’s needs and how these should be met. The service did not always schedule visits to allow staff time to travel between calls.
People’s care plans were individualised and reflected their specific needs and preferences for how they wished to be cared for and supported. People and their relatives said they felt able to express their views and were listened to. People’s care and support needs were reviewed regularly to ensure staff had up to date information about people’s current care and support needs.
People and their relatives told us staff looked after people in a way which was kind, caring and respectful. People’s right to privacy and dignity were respected and maintained by staff, particularly when receiving personal care. People were encouraged to do as much as they could and wanted to do for themselves to retain control and independence.
There was a quality assurance programme which checked care was being provided to an acceptable standard. However, where areas for improvement were identified action plans were not developed to address these.
You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.