14, 24 and 28 April 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 14, 24 and 28 April 2015, and it was announced. We gave 48 hours’ notice of this inspection because the service is a domiciliary care agency and we needed to be sure the registered manager was available to assist the inspection.
We last inspected this service in January 2014, at which time we found no breaches of regulations.
Positive Life Choices Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides care and support to people living in their own homes. The service was supporting 54 people at the time of this inspection. The service had a registered manager who had been in post since 2013. 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.
Systems were in place to identify, assess and manage risks to people.
Systems were in place to protect people receiving care or support from harm. Staff had been given regular training in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults and were clear about their responsibilities to recognise and immediately report any incidents of abuse. People told us they felt safe and well-protected by their support workers.
The service ensured that there were sufficient staff hours available to meet people’s needs in a safe and timely manner. We saw workers had time to engage with people and give them good quality support without being rushed. Any new staff were checked to make sure they were suitably fit to work with vulnerable people.
People’s prescribed medicines were administered safety, and clear records were kept of all medicines received, administered and disposed of.
People’s needs were assessed before they were offered a care package, to ensure their needs could be fully met. People were encouraged to be fully involved in the assessment of their needs, and were asked for their wishes and preferences about how their care should be given. Detailed plans were drawn up to meet each person’s individual needs and wishes, and these were regularly evaluated to make sure they remained appropriate and effective. People told us they felt their care and welfare needs were consistently met, and that they received a good quality of personalised care.
People told us they received their care in the ways they wanted, and that staff were flexible and responded positively to any requests. Regular reviews allowed people to comment on their care and ask for changes to their care plans.
People were supported to enjoy a varied and nutritious diet, with plenty of choice. Any special dietary needs were met.
People’s health needs were assessed and workers monitored people’s health and well-being closely. People were supported to access the full range of community and specialist healthcare services, where necessary, to make sure they received the healthcare they needed.
People told us they were well cared for, and were treated with warmth and respect by their workers. They said their privacy and dignity was protected at all times. We saw that staff were caring and sensitive in their approach and actions.
Complaints or concerns were taken seriously by the service and issues were addressed promptly and appropriately. Complainants were given detailed and sensitively written responses which acknowledged failings, where relevant, and gave details of actions taken.
People were supported to be as independent as possible, to pursue activities and interests, and to access community facilities.
Staff members were given regular training to enable them to meet people’s needs. Staff received regular supervision and appraisal and told us they felt supported and respected by the service.
The registered manager and the management team demonstrated clear leadership and ensured there was an open and positive culture in the service. Staff told us they were clear about their roles and demonstrated a pride in their work.
Systems were in place to regularly monitor the quality of the service being provided, and the degree of satisfaction of people who used the service.