Archived: Firstpoint Homecare Bedford

Updated 7 July 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This announced comprehensive responsive inspection took place on 07 February 2018 and telephone calls to people who used the service and staff were made on 20 and 22 February 2018.

We carried out this responsive inspection as we had received some information of concern regarding the lack of records and management support.

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service and the registered manager manages two services. We needed to be sure the registered manager would be available.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we contacted the local authority, we checked the information we held about this service and the service provider.

We spoke with four people who used the service and two relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, a field care supervisor, two co coordinators and two care staff.

We reviewed five people’s care records, four medication records, five staff files and records relating to the management of the service, such as quality audits.

Updated 7 July 2018

Firstpoint Homecare Bedford is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to older adults. At the time of the inspection, 42 people were receiving support.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

People using the service felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and felt confident in how to report them.

People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be in a safe manner. Staff knew how to manage risks to promote people’s safety, and balanced these against people’s rights to take risks and remain independent.

There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, on duty to support people with their needs. Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the provider. Staff were not offered employment until satisfactory checks had been completed. Staff received an induction process and on-going training. They had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people. They were supported with regular supervisions.

Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service.

People were protected by the prevention and control of infection.

People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people. Staff gained consent before supporting people.

People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff assisted when required.

Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People were involved in the planning of their care and support.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.

People knew how to complain. There was a complaints procedure in place and accessible to all.

Quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Further information is in the detailed findings below