Focus Care Professionals Ltd was rated Requires Improvement overall on its first inspection, with breaches of regulations identified in safe recruitment, medicines management, staff training, risk assessment, and governance. While relatives spoke positively about the kindness of staff and the caring approach, significant record-keeping failures and an unresponsive registered manager undermined assurance of safe and well-led care.
Concerns (7)
criticalMedication management: “Medicines were not managed safely...records did not reflect medicine support and risks related to medicines had been assessed.”
criticalRecord keeping: “Risk assessments had not been completed to ensure people received safe care at all times.”
criticalStaff training: “We asked the registered provider and registered manager for training records. However, this was not provided.”
criticalGovernance: “Governance systems were not always robust or effective. Governance systems had not identified the shortfalls we found during the inspection.”
criticalStaffing levels: “Staff were not always recruited safely. Recruitment procedures had not been followed and the required safety checks had not been carried out.”
moderateCare planning: “Care plans were not person centred, incomplete and did not fully describe the care provided to people.”
moderateLeadership: “The registered manager was not available throughout the inspection and did not communicate or respond to requests for information.”
Strengths
· Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect, and relatives were happy with the care provided.
· People's cultural and religious needs were respected, including food preparation according to cultural requirements.
· People's independence was encouraged by staff.
· Staffing levels met people's needs and staff arrived on time.
· Staff had access to sufficient PPE and infection control measures were in place.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Using medicines safelyRequires improvement
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceRequires improvement
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawRequires improvement
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; 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 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
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and controlRequires improvement
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles; quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsRequires improvement
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: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood