Blue Arch Homecare, a domiciliary care agency serving 43 people in Leicester, retained a 'Requires Improvement' overall rating following a focused inspection of safe and well-led domains, prompted by concerns about safe care. Key shortfalls included gaps in risk assessment detail, inconsistent staff recruitment checks, late calls without notification, insufficient audit coverage of call times and care plan compliance, and infrequent supervision spot checks, though the registered manager responded promptly to issues raised during inspection.
Concerns (7)
moderateCare planning: “The care plan contained information for the type of food needed for the person but not how to encourage the person to eat.”
moderateStaffing levels: “one relative who reported staff did not always arrive at agreed call times. Another relative said at times staff were late and there had been no phone call to alert them.”
moderateStaff competency: “references for one staff member had not been sought from a previous care employer, which could have revealed issues of concern.”
moderateGovernance: “Audits did not check call times or whether the care provided was always consistent with care plans.”
minorInfection control: “Everyone, except one relative told us staff wore personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
minorGovernance: “there was no analysis of surveys to identify trends and see if action needed to be taken.”
minorSupervision / appraisal: “spot checks had not been frequent for some staff as one staff member had only one spot check in the past 12 months.”
Strengths
· People were protected from the risk of abuse and staff demonstrated understanding of safeguarding responsibilities.
· Medicines were safely supplied to people at the right time and in the way they preferred.
· Lessons had been learnt when things went wrong, with processes in place for reporting and follow-up of accidents or incidents.
· The registered manager responded swiftly to concerns raised during inspection, taking prompt corrective action.
· Staff described relevant infection control measures and reported always having sufficient PPE available.
Quality-Statement breakdown (11)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementRequires improvement
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionRequires improvement
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringRequires improvement
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 staffRequires improvement