Novus Care Limited received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection since registering in July 2014. The service demonstrated safe, person-centred care delivered by well-trained, consistently allocated staff, supported by effective governance and quality assurance systems.
Strengths
· People reported feeling safe and supported by a consistent, familiar group of staff who knew their needs well
· Safe recruitment practices in place including DBS checks, references, and documented interview processes
· Staff received induction, mandatory training, quarterly supervision, staff meetings, and annual appraisals
· Medicines management was robust with photographic records, competency assessments, and regular spot checks
· New personalised care plan formats introduced reflecting individual preferences, likes, dislikes, and life history
Novus Care Limited was rated Good overall at its April 2019 inspection, providing safe, caring, responsive, and well-led domiciliary care to 41 people. The single area requiring improvement was staff training, as some staff had not completed essential or refresher training in safeguarding, the Mental Capacity Act, and medicines management.
Concerns (2)
moderateStaff training: “Some staff had not received training in topics that the provider considered essential and refresher training for staff had not routinely gone ahead.”
moderateStaff training: “Some staff required training and refresher training around safeguarding people from abuse, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and managing medicines.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff demonstrated good safeguarding awareness with clear knowledge of abuse types and reporting procedures.
· Detailed risk assessments identified hazards and mitigation strategies, including environmental and community access risks.
· Medicines were managed safely with MAR audits, risk assessments, and investigation of errors.
· Sufficient staffing levels with regular rotas, timely communication of changes, and 24-hour on-call support.
· Person-centred care plans developed with involvement of people and families, reflecting individual preferences and needs.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
effective: Staff skills, knowledge and experienceRequires improvement
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough with choice in a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; equality and diversityGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to meet people's needs, preferences, interests and give them choice and controlGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
well-led: Managers and staff are clear about their roles, and understand quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Working in partnership with othersGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood