Alina Homecare (Rustington), a domiciliary care agency supporting 60 people, was rated Good overall and across all five key questions following a change-of-registration inspection. Minor concerns were noted around supervision record-keeping and occasional call timekeeping, but care was safe, personalised and well-led.
Concerns (3)
minor
Supervision / appraisal
: “Some staff could not recall when they had received their last formal supervision and records were unclear as to whether some staff completed supervision meetings in line with the provider's policy.”
minorMissed or late visits: “We received mixed feedback from people about the promptness and time staff spent supporting people... 'the one that came yesterday left before the hour was up, but I still have to pay for the hour'.”
minorMedication management: “a carer administered the wrong dose of a medicine to a person; the person did not come to harm. The carer involved was required to repeat their medicines training”
Strengths
· Risks to people, including their environment, identified, assessed and managed well with comprehensive risk assessments
· Detailed, personalised care plans acknowledging cultural and religious preferences
· Kind and caring staff who knew people well; people treated with dignity and respect
· Safe recruitment processes including DBS checks and reference verification
· 94-96% of calls completed punctually over the last six months
Quality-Statement breakdown (25)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseNot rated
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementNot rated
safe: Staffing and recruitmentNot rated
safe: Using medicines safelyNot rated
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionNot rated
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongNot rated
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawNot rated
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceNot rated
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietNot rated
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportNot rated
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceNot rated
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityNot rated
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careNot rated
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceNot rated
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesNot rated
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsNot rated
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolationNot rated
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsNot rated
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringNot rated
well-led: How the provider understands and acts on the duty of candourNot rated
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsNot rated
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffNot rated
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careNot rated
well-led: Working in partnership with othersNot rated