Libra Care Services, a small domiciliary care agency supporting 9 people, achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection on 27 January 2023. The service demonstrated strong person-centred care, robust governance, and exceptional leadership, with unanimously positive feedback from people, relatives and staff.
Strengths
· People consistently reported feeling safe, with staff demonstrating good awareness of risks and safeguarding procedures.
· Robust recruitment and selection process including verified references and DBS checks.
· Medicines managed safely with relevant training, competency assessments, and regular audits.
· Person-centred care plans including detailed personal histories, preferences, abilities and communication needs.
· Staff received induction, regular supervision, appraisals and competency spot checks.
Quality-Statement breakdown (20)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuse; Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
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 to provide consistent, effective, timely care; 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 diversity; Supporting people to express their viewsGood
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: 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: 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 staff, fully considering their equality characteristicsGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; Working in partnership with othersGood