23 April 2014
During a routine inspection
Below is a summary of what we found. The summary describes what people using the service, their relatives and the staff told us, what we observed and the records we looked at. If you want to see the evidence supporting our summary please read the full report.
Is the service safe?
Staff personnel records contained all the information required by the Health and Social Care Act 2008. This meant the provider could demonstrate that the staff employed to work at Coastal Home Care were suitable and had the skills and experience needed to support the people living in their own home.
Systems were in place to make sure that all staff learnt from events such as accidents and incidents, complaints or concerns. Feedback was sought from people and their relatives which helped the service develop and learn.
Is the service effective?
We saw that before people received any care or treatment they were asked for their consent and the provider acted in accordance with their wishes. We saw that people or their representatives had been involved in their care assessments and reviews.
People told us that they were happy with the care they received and felt their needs had been met. It was clear from what we saw and from speaking with staff that they understood people's care and support needs and that they knew them well. One person who used the service told us, 'I'm enjoying my life again solely because of Coastal Home Care and the extra mile they go.' Staff had received training to meet the needs of the people receiving care.
Is the service caring?
People were supported by committed and attentive staff. We saw that care workers were patient and empathetic and when supporting people. The representative of one person told us, 'My [relative] developed dementia and about a year ago it was arranged for Coastal Home Care to do visits. We've arranged it via direct payments and it's been wonderful.'
Is the service responsive?
People's needs were continually assessed. Records confirmed people's preferences, interests, aspirations and diverse needs had been recorded and support had been provided in accordance with people's wishes. One person told us 'My experience with them has been fantastic. I was stuck indoors before but the carers have enabled me to go out when I want to.'
Is the service well-led?
Staff had a good understanding of the ethos of Coastal Home Care which promoted in its literature its commitment to, 'providing our customers with the highest quality standards of service', and quality assurance processes were in place to support this. People told us they were asked for their feedback on the service they received and they confirmed they had felt listened to.