This targeted inspection of The Chocolate Quarter Home Care Service examined concerns about manual handling, safeguarding reporting, and responsiveness to changing needs, finding generally robust systems but one instance of delayed safeguarding referral to the local authority. The overall rating remains Good from the previous inspection as this targeted inspection did not assess the full key question.
Concerns (2)
moderateSafeguarding: “for one person a referral had not been made in a timely way... the registered manager had not spoken to the local authority safeguarding team.”
minorCare planning: “The mental health team had provided guidance on the care approach which staff were following. We found however it had not been added to the person's care plan.”
Strengths
· People who needed support to mobilise had detailed moving and handling plans in place with guidance for staff to follow.
· The provider employed an occupational therapist and physiotherapist available to assess and support people's mobility needs.
· Staff received training on safeguarding and manual handling, including specialist equipment, and felt confident management would act on concerns.
· Incidents and accidents were recorded electronically with oversight and learning shared with staff weekly.
· A 'key mover' system provided additional manual handling expertise and risk assessment capacity.
Quality-Statement breakdown (2)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseNot rated
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementNot rated
The Chocolate Quarter Home Care Service was rated Good across all five key questions at this first inspection of the newly registered domiciliary care service supporting 21 people. People felt safe, received personalised care from kind and well-trained staff, and the service was well-led with embedded quality assurance systems.
Strengths
· Care visits took place at consistent times to suit people's preferences
· Robust medicines management with regular audits and strong relationship with local pharmacist
· Comprehensive staff induction, mandatory training and Care Certificate process
· Regular spot checks and competency assessments for staff