Archived: Firstpoint Homecare Bristol

Updated 28 September 2017

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 was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and to provide an updated rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection was undertaken by one adult social care inspector.

Prior to the inspection we looked at the information we had about the service. This information included the statutory notifications that the provider had sent to CQC. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. We reviewed the Provider Information Record (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, tells us what the service does well and the improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager and registered managers from other, Firstpoint Homecare branches who were visiting the office. We also spoke with five other members of the care team including the branch trainer.

We spoke with seven people who were provided with personal care and support from the service and four relatives of people who were supported. We looked at seven people’s care records, six staff recruitment files and training records, key policies and procedures and other records relating to the management of the service.

We contacted three social care professionals after the inspection and asked them to tell us about their experience of working with the service. They provided us with positive feedback about the service and we have included this in the main body of the report.

Updated 28 September 2017

The inspection took place on 15 and 17 August 2017 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours notice of the inspection to ensure that key people we needed to meet with were available. The last full inspection of this service was 5 and 11 January 2017. At that time we found six breaches of regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. We issued one Warning Notice and expected the service to have achieved compliance by 23 March 2017. As part of this inspection we followed up to ensure the appropriate improvements had been made and sustained.

The service provided personal care support and household support to people living in their homes in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire areas. At the time of our inspection a personal care service was provided to 50 people. A small number of other people were supported the household support but this does not come within our remit. The service employed 24 care staff and was actively recruiting additional care staff in order to meet demand to cover care packages.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

People received a service that was safe. All staff received safeguarding adults training. This meant they knew what to do if there were concerns about a person’s welfare. The service had raised concerns appropriately with the local authority where they had concerns. Staff also received moving and handling training so that people who needed assistance to move from one place to another were supported correctly. Staff recruitment procedures were safe which meant unsuitable staff could not be employed. Any risks to people’s health and welfare were assessed and their care was organised to reduce or eliminate the risk and chance of harm. People who were supported with their medicines were supported safely because staff had been trained.

People received an effective service. The care staff had the necessary skills and experiences to meet peoples needs and training was regularly updated. The staff team were well trained, received regular supervision and supported by the registered manager and colleagues to do their jobs effectively. People received an effective service because the care staff were given clear instructions about how they had to support people. Where required, people were supported to have sufficient to eat and drink where this had been assessed as part of their care package. People were supported to access health care services if needed.

People received a caring service. People were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received and complimentary about the care staff who assisted them. People were treated with kindness and respect. Those staff we spoke with were respectful when talking about the people they helped and knew of the importance of having good working relationships. The views and opinions of people were sought and they were encouraged to have a say about how they were looked after and the way the service was delivered.

People received a responsive service that took account of their specific care and support needs. Assessment and care planning processes ensured each person received a care service that met their own specific care and support needs. Peoples preferences and choices were respected. Regular reviews were undertaken and the care package adjusted as and when needed.

People received a service that was well-led. The registered manager and senior care staff provided good leadership for the care staff. A programme of quality checks had been introduced since the last inspection.