First comprehensive inspection of Silver Oak Care Ltd, a small domiciliary care agency supporting five people, rated Good across all five key questions. Minor improvements were identified around the MAR template format and formalising audits, with the provider responding promptly during inspection.
Concerns (3)
minor
Medication management
: “we noted that the format of MARs did not clearly illustrate which medicines were given at what time. We raised this with the director who took immediate action and amended their MARs template”
minorGovernance: “they had only recently started providing care to people and therefore they were still in the process of formalising checks and audits.”
minorRecord keeping: “the service provided care to a small number of people, they did not yet have an electronic system in place for monitoring timekeeping. Instead, care workers completed timesheets.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and were treated with dignity, kindness and respect by consistent care workers
· Comprehensive, person-centred risk assessments and care plans reviewed regularly
· Punctual visits with no missed or late calls reported
· Robust recruitment including DBS checks and references
· Staff trained face-to-face including safeguarding, MCA, infection control and end of life
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to access healthcareGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
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: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles; understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; continuous learningGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; working in partnership with othersGood