Crediton Care Services Limited was rated Requires Improvement overall following a June 2023 inspection, with three regulatory breaches identified covering safeguarding (Reg 13), good governance (Reg 17), and fit and proper persons employed (Reg 19). Despite strong caring practice and positive feedback from people and relatives, the provider failed to escalate a safeguarding allegation, maintain safe recruitment records, and operate governance systems capable of identifying these risks.
Concerns (5)
criticalSafeguarding: “an allegation had been made by a service user against a member of staff... no further action had been taken. The provider had failed to act in accordance with their own policy”
critical
Governance
: “Current governance arrangements had failed to identify the concerns identified during the inspection relating to the appropriate escalation, notification and management of safeguarding concerns.”
criticalStaff competency: “provider had failed to ensure a full employment history had been obtained as required. Additionally, the dates of employment on the references did not correspond with that on the staff member's application form.”
moderateCare planning: “Where people had known risks, for examples in relation falls and skin integrity, some care records required further development to record risk mitigation measures staff could follow.”
moderateIncident learning: “There were currently no clear systems in place to report and learn from any accidents and incidents.”
Strengths
· People and relatives were unanimously positive about the caring nature of staff, with all saying they would recommend the service.
· Staffing levels met people's needs; no missed calls reported and visits consistently ran to schedule.
· Medicines management was safe, with appropriate policies, staff training, and competency spot checks in place.
· Staff supported people's dignity, respect and independence consistently and compassionately.
· Infection control practice was robust, with PPE compliance monitored and no concerns raised.
Quality-Statement breakdown (14)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseRequires improvement
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongRequires improvement
safe: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
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
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsRequires improvement
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care and working in partnership with othersRequires improvement
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood