Stockdales Domiciliary Support Services

Updated 5 February 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 8 January 2019 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that they would be in to facilitate the inspection.

The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service. We looked at notifications sent to us at the CQC. We contacted Trafford Council's Commissioning and Safeguarding teams for information they held on the service; we received no concerns from these teams. We also contacted Trafford Healthwatch who told us that they did not hold any information on Stockdales at present. Healthwatch is an organisation responsible for ensuring the voice of users of health and care services are heard by those commissioning, delivering and regulating services.

Following the inspection we contacted five health and social care professionals who were involved with the service on a regular basis. We received no negative comments or concerns.

During our inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, an assistant manager and one senior support worker. Prior to the inspection we contacted five relatives of people who used the service to ascertain their views. The majority of the people who used the service were children or vulnerable adults with communication difficulties and were unable to speak with us themselves.

We looked at three care files, three staff personnel files, training and supervision records, meeting minutes, audits and health and safety records.

Updated 5 February 2019

Stockdales Domiciliary Care Support Services is a registered charity that provides care and support to children and adults with learning and physical disabilities. Stockdales Domiciliary Support Services (Stockdales) is the company's community and home support service, registered to provide personal care and support to people with a learning disability and other complex needs within a community setting.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Safeguarding systems were in place and staff had received training. Staff recruitment systems were robust and staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of the people using the service.

General and individual risk assessments were kept and the service had appropriate health and safety measures in place. Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately. Medicines were given safely and staff had received appropriate training.

We saw evidence thorough assessments of people’s needs were carried out. Care plans included relevant health and personal information.

The staff induction was thorough and training was on-going. Staff had regular supervisions and annual appraisals. The service was working within the legal requirements of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

Staff were given training in dignity in care and equality and diversity. All staff understood the importance of confidentiality and data protection.

All the relatives we spoke with felt dignity and privacy were respected by staff. People told us they had been involved in the care planning and review processes. People who used the service were supported to be as independent as possible.

Care plans were person-centred and the service looked at matching staff with people who used the service to help ensure compatibility and consistency. There was an activities timetable for each person and these were individual and tailored to the person involved.

The service ensured they worked in line with the Accessible Information Standard. Staff had received training in end of life care.

There was a complaints policy and complaints and concerns had been logged and responded to appropriately. The service had received a number of compliments.

Staff felt they were well supported by the management. There were regular staff meetings. The service was involved with the wider community with activities and groups attended. They worked in partnership with other agencies to help provide a joined-up service.

A number of audits and quality assurance checks took place and feedback was sought from people who used the service to help inform service improvement.

Further information is in the detailed findings below