- Homecare service
Tehy Care Group Ltd
Report from 13 May 2024 assessment
Contents
On this page
- Overview
- Assessing needs
- Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
- How staff, teams and services work together
- Supporting people to live healthier lives
- Monitoring and improving outcomes
- Consent to care and treatment
Effective
People’s needs were assessed prior to using the service. People’s care records included the person’s physical and mental health needs. People and those close to them participated in the initial assessment and reviews. 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 were supported with their hydration and nutrition needs if this was required.
This service scored 54 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.
Assessing needs
People were involved in the initial assessment of their needs, and support was provided where needed to maximise their involvement. A relative told us how their family members care plan was devised with the person and the relative. However, we were not assured about the involvement of people in their ongoing assessment of needs.
Staff told us they knew people well and had access to the information they needed to support people. A staff member told us, “We are introduced to clients and they have a care plan it has everything about them.”
People’s care plans contained guidance for staff on how to support people with their risks, needs, preferences and choices and who was involved and to be consulted about their care. As recorded in the risk section of this report, some areas of the care plan required review to ensure information was updated and reflective of people’s needs. Care reviews within the care records did not evidence people or their relatives were involved in ongoing assessments. This was discussed with the nominated individual during the onsite assessment.
Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
Staff received training such as food hygiene and supported people in line with current guidance.
Whilst processes were in place, feedback from people was mixed in relation to co-ordinating care and support. One relative told us their family member did not get a consistent care team or did they receive their care at the time they wanted. Care records contained information about people’s care and treatment. This included guidance in relation to food and fluid and detailed care notes confirming the care plan had been followed by staff. We saw evidence of training and staff updates to ensure that the care is provided in line with the national legislation, evidence-based good practice and required standards.
How staff, teams and services work together
Staff told us they had all the information they needed to provide effective care and support to people. A staff member told us, “We find all the information from the care plan, we also ensure there is a proper handover.” Another staff member said, “We go to new clients with the manager and they tell us all about them.”
The service was small and information about people’s care and treatment was recorded with a care plan. Any referrals needed to other professionals were mainly completed by people’s relatives, however relatives did tell us staff would update them of any concerns that might need further support. The nominated individual told us if needed they would refer to relevant agencies. The service had allocated staff to 2 specific areas and each area had a team leader to support staff and the people using services in this area. However, we were not assured the provider had the necessary oversight to always ensure staff provided care to people in the way they had chosen.
Supporting people to live healthier lives
We did not look at Supporting people to live healthier lives during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.
Monitoring and improving outcomes
We did not look at Monitoring and improving outcomes during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.
Consent to care and treatment
People and their relatives confirmed staff asked for their consent and involved them in their care.
Staff were aware of their responsibilities in gaining consent. A staff member told us, “I assure people have consented for my support by asking them. When someone is nonverbal, I know they have consented by body language for example smiling or nodding.” Another staff member said, “We always gain their consent before starting care. If they could not give verbal consent, I would show the person things or ask the family. I ask the person, the family or look at the care plan.”
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a legal framework for making particular decisions on behalf of people who may lack the mental capacity to do so for themselves. The Act requires that, as far as possible, people make their own decisions and are helped to do so when needed. When they lack mental capacity to take particular decisions, any made on their behalf must be in their best interests and as least restrictive as possible. People can only be deprived of their liberty to receive care and treatment when this is in their best interests and legally authorised under the MCA. When people receive care and treatment in their own homes an application must be made to the Court of Protection for them to authorise people to be deprived of their liberty. We checked whether the service was working within the principles of the MCA. The provider had considered people’s capacity to consent as part of the assessment of their needs. People’s care plans contained information about the decisions they were able to make independently and how to support their decision making.