The Care Quality Commission

Archived: Freedom Socialcare Recruitment Limited - Bristol

Westpoint, 78 Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1QU (0117) 985 8777

Provided and run by:
Freedom Socialcare Recruitment Ltd

All Inspections

12 November 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

This inspection was undertaken because of information of concern we had received in relation to the recruitment practices of the agency.

We found that the agency undertakes an effective recruitment process and makes sure that the necessary checks are undertaken.

6 March 2012

During an inspection in response to concerns

In February 2011 we carried out a review of Freedom Socialcare and we identified some areas where the service needed to make improvements. Following the review, the provider told us about the changes they intended to make. We visited again in September 2011 and found that improvements were still needed with safeguarding awareness and training in the staff team, the staffing structure within the agency, and overall staff training. The purpose of this review was to visit the service to check on the improvements, but also because some concerns had been raised with us.

We visited three people who were using the service in their own homes and contacted four other people by telephone. We received positive comments about the service and the carers who were supporting them. 'I didn't have any choice in using this agency but they provide me with the help I need', 'I used to have another agency and changed to Freedom' and 'my carer is so kind to me and very helpful. She goes the extra mile and I enjoy her visiting me in my home'.

We received comments that communication with the agency office is not always good and needs to be improved. Some people told us that their carers were sometimes late and that they had experienced some missed calls. Whilst some people were more flexible than others and 'struggled on', others were dissatisfied when they had been let down.

We have asked the agency to make sure that all their carers were fully aware of safeguarding issues and the procedures they must follow to ensure that people were protected from coming to harm.

9 November 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns

We did not talk to people using the service during this visit.

Care staff told us that they help a number of people to take their medicines. The person's care plan tells them what type of help they need. This might involve checking that people have taken their medicines or handing them the medicines pack so that they can take them themselves. Some people need staff to put their medicines out for them so they are able to take them.

27 September 2011

During an inspection looking at part of the service

Some of the people we spoke to were satisfied with the service that was provided and said that 'We are receiving excellent care from the agency.' Other people said 'We felt it was excellent and we have a domestic care package with the organisation for sometime now and they have been very good.' Some people said, 'I have had no problems with the organisation and the carers', 'I am able to have the same carers to come and visit and help me with my social care package on a weekly basis.' People felt that their needs had been met and spoke highly of the care workers. Other people told us that 'Some things have improved and others there are no change.' 'Some things have improved and other things haven't.' People told us that 'I am not happy with this service.' And some people continued to say 'Freedom Socialcare do not provide personal care packages.' Other people said, 'The care workers talk about other service users.' Some people told us that they were not satisfied with the service provision and this was a concern for some of the people who used the service.

16, 22 February 2011

During a routine inspection

People who use the service we spoke with told us:

'Staff are always respectful and give me good care'.

'No one has talked to me about a care plan, they just come and do what they think'.

'I don't feel safe with the carers; they are all slapdash and don't really seem to learn how to help me best.'

No one has asked me about what I need and I don't have a care plan or folder with contact numbers. I have spoken to the service but nothing happens'.

'We are very happy with the service and think they are smashing and help me very well'.

Seven of the eleven people we spoke to told us there experience is that carers can turn up either early or late. They also told us that they experience missed calls; with a majority being at weekends.

'The visit is planned too early for me so the girl and I have an arrangement and she comes later, as it is better for me'.

People told us that communication with the office is poor and the staff are often not very helpful. They also told us they are often not informed if carers are going to be late, or unable to make the visit.