North Kirklees Domiciliary Care Services was rated Good across all five key questions at its November 2015 inspection, demonstrating strong safeguarding practices, person-centred care, and effective governance. One minor gap was identified: the absence of a recorded best interest decision process within Mental Capacity Act documentation, which the registered manager agreed to address immediately.
Concerns (2)
minor
Consent / capacity
: “There were detailed capacity assessments in people's files but no system for recording the best interest decision when people lacked capacity.”
minorCommunication with families: “They told us they had not been given this opportunity but they would welcome this [feedback questionnaires or relatives meetings].”
Strengths
· Staff were trained in safeguarding and had a good understanding of how to identify and act on abuse, with safeguarding discussed at every supervision and team meeting.
· Risks were managed positively using positive risk management to promote independence without overly restricting people.
· Staff received regular supervision, appraisals, and a broad range of training including advanced autism, positive behavioural support, and MCA 2005.
· Care plans were person-centred, regularly reviewed, and included detailed 'All about me' documents capturing individual preferences.
· The service used advocates proactively at reviews and accessed Independent Mental Capacity Advocates when required.
North Kirklees Domiciliary Care Service maintained its Good rating across all five key questions at this February 2018 inspection, providing person-centred care to ten people with learning disabilities and/or autism in supported living settings. The service demonstrated consistent strengths in safeguarding, staff support, positive risk management and an enabling, open culture with no areas of concern identified.
Strengths
· Staff demonstrated strong safeguarding awareness and positive risk management enabling people to develop independence and new skills.
· Registered manager was highly visible, approachable and fostered an open, transparent culture.
· Robust supervision, appraisal and training programme ensured staff had the knowledge and skills to support people effectively.
· Person-centred care plans respected human rights, included goals and were regularly reviewed.
· Effective use of assistive technology and alternative communication methods tailored to individual needs.