First inspection of Heriitage Care Ltd, a small domiciliary care service supporting seven people, rated Good overall and across all five key questions. Minor issues were noted around staff feeling rushed, care plan updates, daily note language and food shelf-life checks, but the registered manager was responsive and addressing them.
Concerns (5)
minor
Staffing levels
: “There were enough staff to meet people's needs safely. However, this was due to the registered manager undertaking care call visits to support staff. New staff were currently being recruited.”
minorMissed or late visits: “Sometimes staff only stay 20 minutes. Nothing doesn't get done but staff are rushed.”
minorCare planning: “The care package was agreed a long time ago and not sure if it has been updated as we have more care calls now.”
minorRecord keeping: “improvements needed in staffs' daily notes... Sometimes the language used to describe the support was misleading and examples were given.”
minorOther: “one person said they had to on occasion speak to staff about checking the shelf life of food for them before preparing meals.”
Strengths
· Staff were kind, respectful and promoted people's human rights
· Staff trained and competency spot-checked, including for medication administration
· Robust recruitment checks including references, right to work and DBS
· Good infection control practices with adequate PPE and COVID-19 testing
· Learning from incidents and near misses shared with staff
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
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 live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
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 culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Duty of candour; clear roles and understanding of quality, risks and regulatory requirements; continuous learningGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood