We carried out a review of the data available to us about HomeLife Carers (Exeter) 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 HomeLife Carers (Exeter), you can give feedback on this service.
Homelife Carers (Exeter) is a domiciliary care service supporting adults in the community who required personal care in the Exeter, Tiverton, Okehampton and Torbay areas. The service provided care to people living with dementia, physical disabilities, mental health needs and sensory impairments.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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. At the time of our inspection there were 163 people using the service who received personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People said they received safe care from the staff at the service. One comment we received was, “I feel safe with them, it tends to be the same carer on every visit. I’m used to them. It’s a very warm relationship.”
Staff demonstrated an understanding of safeguarding and were able to identify what might constitute abuse and the reporting process they needed to follow to escalate concerns. People’s individual risks were identified and care was planned in a way to reduce identified risks. Risk assessments were reviewed.
Feedback was mostly positive about the timeliness of care appointments, however we received mixed feedback from people about regularly receiving a rota and staff gave mixed feedback on travel time between care appointments. This was communicated to the registered manager. Staff recruitment was safe, and no concerns were raised around infection control practice.
People’s care needs were assessed and care was planned accordingly. Staff received induction, training and ongoing supervision and appraisal. People were supported with food and drink based on their individual needs.
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.
Care files were personalised to reflect people’s personal preferences. Their views and suggestions were taken into account to improve the service. There were systems and policies in place to respond to complaints if required.
Staff told us people were caring and all the feedback we received was positive. One relative commented, “I can only say they are brilliant. They are friendly and caring.” A person we spoke with told us, “She [staff member] is wonderful, she is like an angel, I can’t say any more. She is wonderful, very caring.”
Staff told us they were happy in their jobs and were keen to make a positive difference in people’s lives. There was positive feedback received from people and staff about the service management.
A number of methods were used to assess the quality and safety of the service people received. The service made continuous improvements in response to their findings.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 12 May 2021 and this is their first inspection.
The last rating for the service under the previous legal entity was Good, published on 4 February 2020.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.