Austen Allen Homecare received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first inspection, with safe medicines management, robust recruitment, consistent staffing and effective electronic monitoring. People and relatives spoke highly of the caring, person-centred service and well-led management team.
Strengths
· Robust recruitment processes including DBS checks and employment history verification
· Medicines safely managed with face-to-face training and competency checks for staff
· Consistent staffing with people usually supported by the same regular carers
· Comprehensive induction and Care Certificate completion overseen by a dedicated training manager
· Effective use of an electronic care planning system to monitor visits, medicines, and food/fluids in real time
Quality-Statement breakdown (23)
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
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: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to access healthcareGood
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 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: Promoting a positive, person-centred culture and duty of candourGood
well-led: Managers and staff clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood