Care Carers, a small domiciliary care agency in Croydon serving five people at the time of inspection, was rated Good across all five key questions at its first comprehensive inspection in July 2021. The service demonstrated strong personalised care, safe medicines management, effective infection control, and well-embedded governance, with only a minor gap in supervision record-keeping identified.
Concerns (1)
minor
Supervision / appraisal
: “Staff received regular supervision and told us they felt supported by the management team. However, the registered manager did not always record supervisions and told us they would immediately improve.”
Strengths
· Risks to people were suitably managed with clear guidance for staff on moving and handling and pressure ulcers.
· Medicines management was safe, with annual competency checks and regular oversight by the registered manager.
· Sufficient staffing levels with good timekeeping; staff were not rushed and had time to engage meaningfully with people.
· Staff received a thorough induction including the Care Certificate and ongoing training across a wide range of topics.
· People received consistent care from a small number of staff who knew them well, including the registered manager.
Quality-Statement breakdown (18)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and management; Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and support; eat and drink enough; staff working with other agenciesGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering; Engaging and involving people and staff; Working in partnership with othersGood
Care Carers received a first inspection rating of Insufficient evidence to rate overall, with Good ratings for both Safe and Well-led; only three people were using the service at the time. No failures or regulatory breaches were identified, and people, relatives and staff expressed high satisfaction with the quality and consistency of care provided.
Strengths
· People felt safe with staff and reported no missed or late calls; staff timekeeping described as 'very good'.
· Robust safeguarding training in place; staff understood signs of abuse and reporting processes.
· Appropriate recruitment checks carried out including employment history, references, health and DBS checks.
· Medicines administered safely with appropriate recording and regular manager observation.
· Strong infection control practices including appropriate PPE use during COVID-19 pandemic.
Quality-Statement breakdown (10)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Planning and promoting person-centred, high-quality care and supportGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood