We carried out a review of the data available to us about Assisted Lives on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Assisted Lives, you can give feedback on this service.
Assisted Lives is a domiciliary care agency located near to Bradford city centre providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection the service was providing personal care to 62 people.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe. Staff were recruited safely, and people generally received their care and support from a consistent staff team. Assessments of risk to people’s health and safety were completed. We have made a recommendation regarding the management of medicines.
Staff received induction, training and supervision. Where needed, people received support to eat and drink. There were effective systems of communication in place and the service worked alongside other healthcare professionals where required. 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.
Staff were caring and kind. Staff respected people’s right to privacy and took steps to maintain people’s dignity. People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care and support.
Care records provided enough information for staff to provide people’s care and support and included information about their communication needs. Staff made an electronic record of the care they had provided. There was a system in place to manage complaints.
The service was well led. The registered manager and staff were clear about their roles and there was a system of audit and governance in place. Feedback from people, relatives and staff was obtained and action taken where shortfalls were identified. The registered provider demonstrated a clear desire to ensure the quality of the service continued to improve.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 28 April 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
Assisted Lives is a domiciliary care agency located close to Bradford city centre which provides a range of services including personal care. At the time of our inspection the service was providing regulated activity of personal care to eight people.
There were sufficient staff deployed to support people who used the service in a safe manner. The service had recruitment systems in place which ensured people were supported by suitable care staff. People told us their relatives were supported by regular staff who understood their relative's care and support needs and stayed the appropriate length of time to offer effective care and support. Staff arrived on time, had received appropriate training to support them in their roles and were encouraged to develop their skills further through additional training and development. Staff spot checks and supervisions were in place.
People who used the service and their relatives felt safe with the care staff who supported them. Safeguarding procedures were in place. Staff understood how to keep people safe and had received safeguarding training which was up to date.
Risks to people's health and safety were assessed and plans of care put into place although some assessments for equipment such as bed safety rails needed to be documented.
Where people were supported with medicines such as prescribed creams these were mostly managed safely although 'as required' (PRN) protocols and processes needed to be put in place.
The service was acting within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act. People who used the service were given choices regarding their care and support and independence was promoted where possible. Documentation about best interest decisions needed to be put in place for areas such as bed safety rails or wheelchair belts.
Where the service was supporting people nutritionally, they were supported to consume a varied and healthy diet.
People's relatives told us staff were kind, caring and supportive and knew their relatives well, including what they liked, disliked and what their care needs were.
Care needs were assessed prior to service commencement and plans of care implemented. Care records and comprehensive daily plans were individualised and person centred. Staff knew people's care needs well.
People told us the service was well managed and the registered manager was approachable and helpful. Staff morale was good and there was a commitment to provide good quality and effective care and support.
Some audit systems were in place which the service was evolving as the service expanded. However, some potential risks identified could have been identified by more effective quality assurance systems.
People's opinions were sought through satisfaction questionnaires, regular telephone surveys and informal discussions. The registered manager was introducing staff meetings and spoke regularly with staff informally and through regular supervision.
Staff and people we spoke with said they would definitely recommend the service although some relatives commented that it was too early to comment with any authority.