Archived: Churchview Care Services (Minehead)

Updated 28 May 2016

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.

This inspection took place on 12 and 14 April 2016. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure the registered manager would be available for the inspection. It also allowed us to arrange to visit people receiving a service in their own homes. The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector. This was to ensure we were able to access records and see people in their own homes.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements the plan to make. We looked at the information in the PIR and also looked at other information we held about the service before the inspection visit. At our last inspection of the service in August 2014. We did not identify any concerns with the care provided to people.

During the inspection we visited and spoke with five people in their individual homes . We also spoke with the provider, manager, team leader and two staff members. We looked at documentation relating to five people who used the service, three staff recruitment and training records and records relating to the management of the service. After the inspection we spoke with two further members of staff and five relatives. We also received feedback from four visiting professionals.

Updated 28 May 2016

Church View Care Services (Minehead) provides personal care and a range of support services to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were 12 people being supported by the service. The service provided domiciliary support to people in their own homes and a supported living service. A supported living service is where people have a tenancy agreement with a landlord and receive their care and support from a care provider. As the housing and care arrangements were entirely separate people can choose to change their care provider if they wished without losing their home.

There was a manager in post at the time of the inspection. The manager was planning on applying to become the registered manager. ‘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.’

Risk of abuse to people were minimised because the provider had a recruitment process in place that kept people safe. Before commencing work all new staff were checked to make sure they were suitable to work within the service and with vulnerable adults.

We looked at staff files to ensure checks had been carried out before staff worked with people. This included completing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and contacting previous employers about the applicant’s past performance and behaviour. A DBS check allows employers to check whether the applicant had any convictions that may prevent them working with vulnerable people. Records confirmed the checks had been completed.

People were supported by staff who had completed induction training they were able to undertake further training in health and safety issues and subjects relevant to the people who were receiving a service.

Staff gave examples of what constituted abuse and what action they would take if they thought people who used the service were being abused. They informed us they would report their concerns and they were confident it would be dealt with appropriately. They were also aware they could report this to the local authority, safeguarding department and to the Care Quality Commission

There were systems in place to manage risks, safeguarding matters and medication and this ensured people's safety. Where people displayed behaviour that needed additional support, behaviour support plans guided staff and helped them to manage situations in a consistent and positive way which protected people's dignity and rights. Activities were put in place to support people to challenge their anxieties into positive actions and outcomes which reduced incidents for people.

Care plans contained risk assessments which outlined measures in place to enable people to take part in activities with minimum risk to themselves and others. Care plans were personalised to each individual and contained information to assist staff to provide care in a manner that respected needs and individual wishes. The main care plans were held in the services office, smaller versions of the care plans were held in peoples individual homes.

Risk assessments and systems were in place for managing medicines in people’s home. This included the safe storage, handling and correct stocks of medicines and medication administration records (MARs).

Care plans provided detailed Information about people so staff knew exactly how they wished to be cared for in a personalised way. People were at the heart of the service and encouraged to maintain their independence. A wide and varied range of activities was on offer for people to participate in if they wished. Regular outings were also organised outside of their homes, and people were encouraged to pursue their own interests and hobbies. One person told us how they liked to travel independently, others told us of holidays they were planning with staff support.