About the service: CareKind is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. The service was supporting five people with personal care in their own homes at the time of our inspection.People’s experience of using this service:
Records relating to medication administration required improvement. Staff required further guidance on how to administer ‘as and when’ required medication such as prescribed creams. The way in which the manager assessed people’s competency to administer required further development.
We spoke with the manager about the improvements that needed to be made to medication management. They told us they would address this without delay. Shortly after our inspection we received confirmation of the improvements the manager had started to introduce. At our next inspection we will check these improvements have been sustained.
The majority of people’s need and risks were properly assessed with sufficient guidance for staff to follow in the provision of safe and appropriate care. Information on people’s needs and skin integrity required improvement. The manager told us they would address this without delay.
Staff had person centred information on people’s preferences and choices with regards to their support and the support provided was personalised to them and their individual requirements.
People told us the support provided was good and that they felt safe with staff. They said staff members were kind, caring and respectful.
People’s daily records showed that people received the support they needed in accordance with their care plan.
People and their relatives confirmed that staff turned up on time and provided the support they needed in accordance with the people’s needs and wishes.
Records showed and people told us that where their needs or choices changed, the management team tried their best to accommodate these changes.
From the records we viewed and the feedback we received it was obvious that people’s care was planned and well organised.
The provider’s complaints policy required review but everyone we spoke with was happy with the care they received. No-one we spoke with had any complaint about the service. Records showed that any complaints received were responded to in a timely and appropriate way.
People’s visits records showed that people’s visits were rarely missed. Visits were made on time and staff told us that they had sufficient time to provide people with the support they needed. This indicated that staffing levels were sufficient to ensure people received the support they needed.
Staff were recruited appropriately with the required pre-employment checks undertaken prior to employment to ensure staff members were safe and suitable to work with vulnerable people.
Staff were sufficiently trained to do their job supported by the management team. Staff morale was good. Staff told us they felt supported and that the management team were approachable and open. Staff felt they provided a good service to people. The people and relatives we spoke with agreed with this.
The systems and processes in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service were adequate and appropriate for the size of the service. The management team demonstrated a good knowledge of their regulatory responsibilities with regards to people’s care and managed the service well.
Rating at last inspection and why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection. At the last inspection the service was good. At this inspection, the service was rated good again.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.