Independence Matters Personal Assistant Services South was rated Good across all five key questions at its July 2016 inspection, demonstrating safe, person-centred care with strong staffing and quality assurance systems. The sole area requiring improvement was the absence of a standalone Mental Capacity Act policy and provider-level capacity assessments for day-to-day decisions, which the provider committed to address following the inspection.
Concerns (2)
moderate
Consent / capacity
: “there was no policy guidance or written procedures in place to guide staff in the application of the MCA, which includes a 'best interest' approach.”
moderateConsent / capacity: “there was no provider assessment in place to assess people's capacity to make informed decisions about their day-to-day care.”
Strengths
· People were kept safe with robust safeguarding knowledge among staff and management
· Thorough values-based recruitment process including DBS checks, references, and pre-interview observation
· Sufficient staffing levels with a relief bank ensuring continuity of care
· Medicines safely managed with staff trained and competency-assessed
· Staff well-trained and supported through induction, supervision, and appraisal
Independence Matters C.I.C. Personal Assistant Services South was rated Good across all five key questions at its March 2019 comprehensive inspection, with the service supporting seven people with complex needs safely and in a person-centred manner. The only notable shortfall was the absence of thematic analysis of accidents, incidents and complaints data, which the provider began to address during the inspection itself.
Concerns (2)
moderateIncident learning: “analysis did not allow for the identification of themes and trends upon which action could be taken”
moderateGovernance: “analysis was not undertaken on the themes and trends across all accidents and incidents. This did not allow the registered manager to address potentially larger and more complex concerns”
Strengths
· Staff had a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and concerns were escalated effectively
· Risk assessments were routinely completed and updated when people's circumstances changed
· Staff received training in administering medicines and competency was checked; MAR records were audited
· Staff received comprehensive induction, regular training, supervision and annual appraisals
· People were involved in developing and reviewing their care plans and views were incorporated into support delivery