Five Valleys Care LTD received an overall rating of Requires Improvement at its first inspection, with a regulatory breach identified for failing to follow safe recruitment practices in line with Regulation 19. While people and relatives were consistently positive about caring, well-trained staff and good outcomes, governance and risk documentation weaknesses in recruitment and care planning required remediation.
Concerns (4)
critical
Staffing levels
: “evidence of conduct and reasons for leaving previous care roles had not always been requested and verified.”
criticalRecord keeping: “The provider's recruitment policy was not reflective of the safe recruitment requirements in health and social care.”
moderateGovernance: “The provider's audits of care documentation were not always effective in identifying gaps in risk assessments related to people's health.”
moderateCare planning: “people's records did not always have robust guidance for staff to assist them in managing people's specific health risks safely.”
Strengths
· People received care from a consistent staffing team and staff had enough time to support people and travel between calls.
· Staff had received appropriate training and experience, including induction, Care Certificate, and specialist training.
· Medicines management was robust with electronic prompts, MAR records, audits, and manager alerts for missed administration.
· People and relatives were consistently positive about the caring, respectful and friendly nature of staff.
· The service used innovative approaches such as a robotic therapeutic pet to support communication needs.
Quality-Statement breakdown (23)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementRequires improvement
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
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 live healthier livesGood
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 controlGood
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, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsRequires improvement
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnership with othersGood