BK Social Care, a small domiciliary care agency in Rainham, received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection on 26 September 2023. Two practice recommendations were made regarding obtaining written employment references and maintaining written records of staff supervision meetings, but no regulatory breaches were identified.
Concerns (4)
minor
Staff training
: “there was no written record taken off these meetings. This meant that things which were agreed might get forgotten and not necessarily followed up on.”
minorSupervision / appraisal: “We recommend the provider follows best practice with staff supervision, including keeping a written record of what was discussed, with both parties getting a copy.”
minorRecord keeping: “Employment references were obtained. However, sometimes these were not written references, but taken by telephone.”
minorCare planning: “they did not fully cover needs associated with equality and diversity, although these were covered in people's care plans.”
Strengths
· People reported high satisfaction, with one person stating staff 'are good, they look after me the way I should be looked after. They are helpful, they are compassionate.'
· Robust safeguarding systems in place including a safeguarding adults policy and staff training on abuse reporting responsibilities.
· Person-centred care plans developed with involvement of people and relatives, subject to regular review.
· Strong infection control practices with staff wearing appropriate PPE during personal care.
· Positive and open culture with accessible management; staff described the registered manager as 'very supportive and helpful'.
Quality-Statement breakdown (24)
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
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: 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 control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood