This targeted inspection of MJ Home Care Staffing Limited focused solely on staffing and recruitment, finding safe systems in place with no evidence of harm to people. No overall or key question ratings were changed; the service retains its previous Good rating from September 2022.
Concerns (1)
minorStaffing levels: “One person told us, "Sometimes [staff] leave a bit early." A new system had been introduced to monitor accurately care visits.”
Strengths
· Safe recruitment processes including DBS checks, right to work, employment history and gap checks were in place.
· No missed visits reported; people saw familiar staff and rotas were provided in advance.
· Staff had sufficient travel time allocated between visits.
· Out-of-hours support was available for staff requiring additional assistance.
· A new monitoring system was introduced to ensure full oversight of care visit duration.
MJ Home Care Staffing Limited was rated Good in all five key questions at this first inspection, with safe medication, safeguarding, person-centred care and open leadership noted. Minor issues with a medication stock discrepancy, gaps in one staff file's employment history, and mixed feedback on carer consistency and complaints handling were acknowledged and being addressed.
Concerns (7)
moderateStaffing levels: “Different people all the time”
minorMedication management: “In one person's medication file we noted a discrepancy in the stock check that had been completed that day.”
minorRecord keeping: “In one staff file, we noted some gaps in employment history. A complete employment history... is required within the regulations”
minorCommunication with families: “I often don't know who is coming at what time”
minorComplaints handling: “I have complained about the lateness of staff. I don't know if it is taken seriously”
minorPerson-centred care: “They don't listen to you because they are overworked”
minorGovernance: “Although an 'Employee Audit Record' was in place, which had identified this issue in other files, the file looked at was yet to be audited.”
Strengths
· Staff understood how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns and worked with relevant authorities
· Detailed person-centred care plans and risk assessments aligned with Right support, right care, right culture
· Training aligned with the Care Certificate, plus specialist training (PMVA, tracheostomy care, end of life)
· Effective lessons-learnt process improving training, medication and use of restrictive practices
· Positive professional feedback praising solution-focused management and partnership working
Quality-Statement breakdown (23)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentNot rated
safe: Using medicines safelyNot rated
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseNot rated
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementNot rated
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionNot rated
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongNot rated
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawNot rated
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experience
Not rated
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietNot rated
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to access healthcareNot rated
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceNot rated
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityNot rated
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careNot rated
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceNot rated
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and controlNot rated
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsNot rated
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsNot rated
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsNot rated
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; continuous learning and improving careNot rated
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringNot rated
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourNot rated
well-led: Working in partnership with othersNot rated