Archived: Destiny Support Care

At our last inspection on the 1 March 2016 we found that Destiny Support Care was meeting required standards. At this inspection we found they required improvement.

Destiny Support care provides personal care to people living in their own homes. There were 17 people using the service on the day of our inspection.

The service had a registered manager in post who was also the provider for the service. They were on leave at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

There was an electronic monitoring system in place and this was audited to ensure people received their calls. However, people did not always receive their calls on time and there were not sufficient gaps between calls to ensure staff had time to travel to the next call.

People told us that they felt safe, happy and well looked after in their own homes. Staff had received training in how to safeguard people from abuse and knew how to report concerns, both internally and externally. Safe and effective recruitment practices were followed to ensure that all staff were suitably qualified and experienced.

The environment and equipment were regularly checked to keep people safe.

Trained staff helped people to take their medicines safely where required. Identified and potential risks to people’s health and well-being were reviewed and managed effectively.

The registered manager was approachable and staff felt supported. People and staff were positive about the management of the service and knew the management team well.

Destiny Support care provides personal care to people living in their own homes. There were nine people using the service on the day of our inspection.

The service had a registered manager in post and the nominated individual for the service was also registered as a manager for the service. They were responsible for the service at the time of our inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and staff were positive about the management of the service and knew the management team well. However, the systems in place to obtain people’s views were still being developed to ensure that feedback could be accurately recorded and responded to. System so that there could be efficient monitoring of the service were also being developed. This included staff meetings being formalised. We also found that although the leadership was clear at the service, some systems needed to be developed to ensure that people received a consistent quality of care, particularly as the service was to take on additional people to support.

Staff employed at the service had all appropriate checks carried out prior to starting work. However, the recording of this information required improvement, in particular relating to written and verified references, interview notes and retaining a copy of staff member’s eligibility to work in the UK.

People felt safe using the service and risk assessments were in place to ensure staff worked safely. Staff were clear on how to recognise and report abuse. There had been no accidents or reportable incidents and the service did not provide support with people’s medicines.

People received care that met their needs at call times that suited them. They were involved in the planning of their care and felt listened to. People received support with eating and drinking as needed and calls were flexible to support hospital appointments. People were supported by regular staff who knew them well and they felt they had a good relationship with them. People were treated with dignity and respect.

People’s consent was obtained prior to support being given and staff were familiar with the Mental Capacity Act and how this may affect them in their role. Staff received appropriate training and supervision for their role. There was sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs.