We carried out a review of the data available to us about Practical Care Solutions Limited 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 Practical Care Solutions Limited, you can give feedback on this service.
Practical Care Solutions Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to a range of people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection 20 people were receiving personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People continued to be cared for safely. Risks assessments were in place, monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Staff understood safeguarding procedures.
People were supported to maintain good health. People were supported with their medicines and accessed health care services when needed. People were provided with meals and drinks that met their dietary requirements.
Staff recruitment procedures were followed to protect people from unsuitable staff. There were enough staff and people received support from reliable caring staff. Staff received comprehensive training to meet people’s needs. Staff enjoyed working at the service and felt supported by their colleagues, the care manager and the registered manager.
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 care records contained clear information covering all aspects of people’s care and support. Staff had a good understanding of people’s wishes and individual preferences. They covered people’s communication, cultural needs and ways to help maintain people’s independence and links with family, friends and the wider community.
Staff were caring in their approach and had good relationships with people and their relations. People with treated with respect, and staff maintained their dignity and privacy.
The registered manager monitored the quality of the service provided. They were aware of their legal responsibilities and worked in an open and transparent way. People and their relatives knew how to make a complaint. People, their relatives, staff and commissioners felt the registered manager was approachable, acted on concerns and sought their views to develop the service. Lessons were learnt when things went wrong.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 25 November 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.
Practical Care Solutions Limited is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to people living in their own homes. The office is based in the city of Leicester and the service currently provides care and support to people living in Warwickshire and Coventry. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people using the service. People’s packages of care varied dependent upon their needs. The provider employed seven staff.
This was our first inspection of the service since they registered with us on 26 February 2015.
A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them and they were happy with the service provided. Staff were trained, able to recognise signs of abuse and understood their responsibility in protecting people from the risk of harm.
People’s care needs were assessed and measures were in place to manage risks. People were involved in the development of their care plans, which provided staff with clear information on how to support people safely.
People were supported to take their medicines safely. Staff supported people, where required, with their meals and drinks. People’s safety and wellbeing was further promoted by staff who monitored and followed the advice from health care professionals in order to support someone’s health needs. Records showed people were support to access healthcare services when required.
People’s ongoing care needs, potential risks and care plans were regularly reviewed. Care plans were updated and the changes were communicated with the staff team at the same time That helped to ensure staff knew how to meet people’s needs safely and supported people to stay safe and well.
People’s care plans were personalised and described how they wished to be supported and their views about the service were sought regularly. Staff were knowledgeable about people's preferences and how they wished to be supported, which promoted their wellbeing.
Staff were recruited in accordance with the provider’s recruitment procedures to ensure they were suitable to look after people living in their own homes. People were supported by the number of staff identified in their care plans to keep them safe and meet their needs.
The registered manager and staff had an understanding of the key principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff understood the importance of seeking people’s consent before providing care and support. People told us staff asked their consent and respected their wishes in how they wanted to be supported.
People told us they made decisions about how they wanted their care to be provided. People were involved in their care and staff understood the importance to respect people's preferences and wishes with regards to how they wished to be supported. Care plans provided staff with clear guidance to follow in order to meet people’s needs in a way that suited the person’s preferences. People’s care needs were regularly reviewed and their care plans updated.
People and relatives we spoke with were complimentary about the staff attitude and approach in how they were supported. People spoke fondly about the staff. They told us staff were caring and responsive to their needs and promoted their wellbeing and independence. Staff maintained people's privacy and dignity whilst supporting them to remain as independent as possible.
People had confidence in the management of the service which they found was responsive and supportive. People, their relatives and staff knew how to contact the registered manager or the care manager for support, advice and to report if the staff were late.
People’s wellbeing was promoted because staff took the time to develop positive relationships with them. Staff recognised that some people were at risk of loneliness and isolation and therefore, ensured the time spent with people was meaningful.
There was a complaints procedure and people knew how to use it. People and their relatives were confident that any concerns raised would be responded listened to and addressed.
The provider monitored the quality of service provided through regular checks on how the staff delivered care and through reviews of people’s needs. Accurate up to date records were maintained relating to the people who used the service, staff and the management of the service. People and their relatives’ views and opinions of the staff were sought regularly to help develop the service.