Care Angels (Batley) Limited received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in April 2017, demonstrating safe recruitment, personalised care planning, strong medication management, and an open, well-led culture. The only minor gap identified was inconsistency in the frequency of staff supervision against the provider's own three-month policy.
Concerns (1)
minor
Supervision / appraisal
: “The registered manager agreed to consider a more effective system to ensure formal supervision was held at frequencies according to their policy.”
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff demonstrated good understanding of safeguarding and abuse types
· Robust recruitment practices including DBS checks, references and ID verification
· Detailed risk assessments in place covering medication, falls, moving and handling, and environmental risks
· Medication administration records fully completed, regularly audited, and staff competency checked
· Staff received induction, ongoing training, shadowing and specific training for complex needs
Care Angels (Batley) Limited is rated Good overall, with an Outstanding rating for Caring, reflecting an exceptionally compassionate and person-centred culture where staff consistently go above and beyond for people and their families. Minor inconsistencies in care documentation, medicines recording, and Mental Capacity Act best-interests decisions were identified but promptly addressed by the registered manager during the inspection.
Concerns (4)
moderateCare planning: “choking risk wasn't always addressed. We discussed this with the registered manager who took immediate action to ensure all risks were clearly identified and addressed.”
minorCare planning: “when people required a special diet; the texture of foods being prepared was not always clear in people's care documentation”
minorRecord keeping: “when medicines were prescribed on an as and when basis, details about the medicines were not always fully complete”
minorConsent / capacity: “When people lacked capacity to make decisions, best interests discussions and meetings had taken place, Although these were not always decision specific.”
Strengths
· People repeatedly described care as exceptional and outstanding; staff referred to as angels who go above and beyond to enhance people's self-worth and well-being.
· Strong person-centred culture with people involved in developing their own care plans and maintaining independence.
· Consistent staffing and reliable visit scheduling supported by an electronic monitoring system introduced since the last inspection.
· Outstanding caring domain: staff demonstrated exceptional kindness, including transporting isolated people to a Christmas party and taking washing home for a person with no machine access.
· Effective safeguarding processes with staff confident in reporting procedures and whistle-blowing policies.
Quality-Statement breakdown (20)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityOutstanding
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceOutstanding
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careOutstanding
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood