Change Social Care Solutions received an overall Good rating at its April 2022 inspection, with a Requires Improvement rating for Safe due to gaps in medicines administration recording and the absence of formal medicines audits. All other inspected areas, including well-led, demonstrated consistent good practice with strong leadership, safe staffing, and positive feedback from people and relatives.
Concerns (4)
moderateMedication management: “there were a few occasions where it was not clear from looking at the MAR whether medicines had been administered”
moderateMedication management: “At the time of this inspection, the provider was not carrying out formal medicine audits.”
moderate
Record keeping
: “medicines administration had not been documented on the MAR due to issues with the electronic system and also human error”
moderateGovernance: “The issues we found with the completion of MARs during this inspection was not clearly identified by the provider.”
Strengths
· Positive relationships developed between care workers and people they supported, with consistent care workers assigned.
· Safe recruitment practices in place including references, identity checks, right to work checks, and DBS checks.
· Electronic monitoring system used to track staff punctuality and visit duration in real time.
· Robust infection control practices including PPE supply, temperature checks, and COVID-19 communication.
· Staff felt well supported, valued and motivated by an approachable management team.
Quality-Statement breakdown (11)
safe: Using medicines safelyRequires improvement
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
Change Social Care Solutions received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection, demonstrating safe, person-centred care for five older adults supported by robust governance, well-trained staff and effective risk management. No breaches of regulation were identified and the service showed strong leadership committed to continuous improvement.
Strengths
· People felt safe and were protected from avoidable harm; safeguarding systems and training were in place for all care workers.
· Risks were comprehensively assessed, documented and regularly reviewed, with clear instructions for care workers.
· Safe recruitment practices including DBS checks, references and proof of identity were consistently applied.
· Medicines were safely managed; MAR records were completed appropriately and regularly audited.
· Care workers completed induction based on the Care Certificate framework and received regular supervision, appraisals and competency spot checks.