Positive Care and Support Ltd, a small domiciliary care agency supporting two people with learning disabilities and/or autism, achieved a Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection. While minor gaps in record-keeping, PRN medicines guidance and staffing consistency were noted, the service demonstrated strong person-centred practice, safe medicines management, comprehensive staff training and effective multi-agency working.
Concerns (4)
moderate
Staffing levels
: “The provider faced difficulties with staff recruitment and finding suitably skilled staff who could meet the needs and preferences of the people being supported.”
minorPerson-centred care: “progress towards meeting longer-term goals was not always recorded.”
minorRecord keeping: “records to show which approaches worked and what did not could be improved to ensure all staff were taking a consistent approach.”
minorMedication management: “Guidance for staff around medicines required on an as and when basis lacked detail to help staff understand when these should be given.”
Strengths
· Medicines were safely managed with regular competency checks and STOMP principles implemented.
· Personalised, holistic, strengths-based care and support plans reflecting individual needs and aspirations.
· Comprehensive training programme including positive behavioural support, autism and learning disabilities.
· Staff demonstrated warmth, respect and a 'do with' approach in interactions with people.
· Effective incident reporting, investigation and lesson-sharing with staff and professionals.
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: 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 lives and access healthcareGood
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; respecting privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and controlGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships; follow interests and take part in activitiesGood
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 roles, 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