Domiciliary Care Staffordshire, a supported living service for adults with learning disabilities and autism, received an overall Good rating at its first inspection in June 2023. Minor governance concerns were noted, including late statutory notifications to CQC and overdue staff refresher training, but no regulatory breaches were found and the service demonstrated strong person-centred care and a culture of learning.
Concerns (4)
moderate
Governance
: “We identified some occasions where statutory notifications had not been sent to CQC, however, all appropriate actions had been taken by the service to keep people safe.”
minorStaff training: “Although some staff refresher training was overdue, the manager was aware and kept a record of what staff had completed and what needed up-dating.”
minorEnd-of-life care: “People were not nearing the end of their life, so this aspect of care and support had not been recorded in people's care plans.”
minorCommunication with families: “The manager told us they were aware of relatives frustrations about communication as this was an issue before the manager started in their post.”
Strengths
· Staff focused on people's strengths and promoted independence, supporting people to follow their own interests and have a fulfilling life.
· People received kind, compassionate care from consistent staff with detailed, person-centred care plans.
· Medicines were safely managed by trained staff with robust protocols and regular audits.
· Safe recruitment practices including DBS checks and references were in place.
· People and relatives were actively involved in care planning, reviews and multi-disciplinary meetings.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
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: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
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: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
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, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; engaging and involving people using the serviceGood