Care Horizons Limited, a small domiciliary care agency in Bristol, was rated Good overall following a focused inspection of Safe and Well-led domains in April 2023. While people were kept safe and staff demonstrated positive care values, governance weaknesses around staff recruitment record-keeping led to a Requires Improvement rating for Well-led.
Concerns (4)
moderateGovernance — “some information was missing in the individual electronic staff files, such as references and application forms and individual staff recruitment risk assessments”
moderateRecord keeping — “The audit stated staff files reviewed and gaps identified but this did not state, which files were looked at or what was missing.”
moderate
Other
— “one member of staff had been working for a period of 13 days prior to their DBS being received”
minorStaff competency — “team managers frequently worked alongside staff supporting people so were able to assess competencies...but acknowledged that they did not always document this”
Strengths
· No missed visits reported; electronic planning system monitored staff arrival and duration of visits
· People were supported to take their medicines safely with real-time electronic monitoring and alerts for omissions
· Staff demonstrated strong safeguarding knowledge and confidence in reporting concerns to management
· Clear risk assessments devised in conjunction with health and social care professionals
· Positive staff culture with regular supervision, team meetings, and management support