We carried out a review of the data available to us about AStar Homecare Services Ltd on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about AStar Homecare Services Ltd, you can give feedback on this service.
AStar is a care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection 34 people received personal care.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
The registered provider promoted a high-quality, personalised and caring service. The management team and staff spoke very proudly and passionately about the service they provided. They were striving constantly to deliver outstanding care and support, and this was clear in the positive things that were achieved.
Staff had mostly been with the service since it started and had developed strong and trusted relationships with people. Staff and people were matched based on people's preferences, interests and personalities. The registered manager told us, "The staff team are phenomenal. The team not only provide a personal service, but they are very passionate. I am really proud of what they do".
People had improved their health and wellbeing through the support of staff. There was a strong focus on encouraging people to maintain or regain their independence which had achieved positive outcomes for people. Health professionals respected the judgement of the service and their initial assessment of people's health needs.
People told us they felt very safe and were supported to continue or re-engage in the activities they had enjoyed throughout their lives. This had a very positive impact of people's health and emotional wellbeing.
People were treated with respect and were supported to lead dignified lives. Staff regularly went to extra mile and were consistently kind to people and their relatives . People were comfortable and reassured in speaking to staff if they had any concerns or worries about themselves or their loved ones. This support was extended to relatives as staff understood the importance of relatives in the lives of people who used the service.
People’s needs were thoroughly assessed prior to offering support to ensure the service could meet them. People and their family were actively involved in care planning and given the opportunity to share information about their life history, important relationships, likes, dislikes and preferences. Discussions about this with the person were regular and the approach tailored to that person. Care plans were flexible, and people did not have to have visits at the same time each day or week.
This was an in-depth recruitment process which focused on recruiting staff who were dedicated, kind and compassionate. One staff said, “I know a few people that have applied to work here and didn't meet the high standards, so I feel very lucky and privileged to be given the opportunity”. Staff were competent and knew how to safeguard people. They had received regular training and support. Medication practice was safe. This meant people had the confidence they needed in staff to support them well.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People's choices in relation to their daily routines were listened to and respected by staff.
Information from quality audits was used to drive improvements. There was clear evidence of how this was shared with staff to drive performance and improvement . When things did go wrong the providers were transparent, open and honest. They focused on continual learning and positivity . This meant staff could positively enhance their practice and reduce the risk of events re-occurring.
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 10/10/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.