HomeLife Carers (Barnstaple), a domiciliary care agency supporting 148 people, was rated Good overall and across all five key questions at its first inspection. Minor concerns related to late visits/rota changes, the absence of a registered manager (in process of registering), and a supervision timetable still being embedded.
Concerns (3)
minor
Missed or late visits
: “The majority of complaints received over the past twelve months related to late visits or changes to the rota. The service had identified that this had been an issue and was working to make improvements.”
minorLeadership: “At the time of our inspection there was not a registered manager in post. The manager was currently in the process of registering with the Commission.”
minorSupervision / appraisal: “The manager was currently in the process of ensuring a regular timetable of supervisions was in place to ensure staff received a rolling supervision programme.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and supported by staff in their homes
· Effective recruitment, selection processes and DBS checks in place
· Medicines managed safely with staff training and competency assessments
· Effective infection control and PPE practice during COVID-19
· Staff were well trained, completed Care Certificate and induction including shadowing
Quality-Statement breakdown (20)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies and supporting access to healthcareGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidance (MCA)Good
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
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
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; duty of candour; continuous learningGood
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering culture; engaging people and staffGood