JSS Homecare Ltd

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

People's outcomes were consistently good, and people's feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 67 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The service had systems in place to assess people’s needs prior to starting the care package. This included involving the family and medical professionals if needed. Care documentation was reviewed and updated regularly or when needed. Where necessary, staff received specialist and person specific training to meet people's needs. For example, at the time of the assessment, the service was sourcing specialist training for single hoisting for 1 person.

People and their relatives provided positive feedback about the assessment process. One relative told us; “We had the occupational therapist (OT) and the manager was brill and liaised with the hospital direct [to find out] what her needs were, what her walking abilities were, what sleep was like. The assessment was with [person] in person, OT and discharge team to make sure everything in place.” One person told us; “When they visited me in hospital when the care package was set up I did explain about consistency being important to me and things like that.”

Staff told us that the management team would inform them via their electronic systems of any changes in the support a client requires. A member of the management team told us that through the assessment process they ascertain from people what care they were looking for, what were they able to do themselves, information about empowering them and giving them the opportunity without losing their independence.

We did not look at Delivering evidence-based care and treatment during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Effective.

While some people were managing engagement with healthcare professionals independently, other required support from the service. One relative told us; “They sort out her prescriptions. Over Christmas she had to have morphine by the district nurses. They arranged all that. She couldn’t swallow the tablets, so they went back to the doctors saying they are not suitable. They’ve taken on her needs as though she’s they’re own family. I always get an email to say what’s happening. The service is brilliant.’

The service worked in partnership with people and their families to support them maintain a healthy lifestyle and access appropriate health care services as needed, such as district nurses and occupational therapists.

The recent quality visit from the local authority evidenced a compliant and good outcome for the service in the standard "Co-operating with other Providers".

In their PIR response, the registered manager told us; “We ensure that our communications with other specialist services are effective, as effective care, support and treatment is reliant on people needing the support of not only our service but other organisations and professionals within health and social are.” The service recognised that; “Coordination between our services and other specialist services is paramount in achieving the best outcome for our clients.” The registered manager and care coordinator provided an example of working with the occupational therapist to support 1 person in relation to their moving and handling changing needs.

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.

People and relatives we spoke with were positive about the process the service followed in relation to monitoring and improving their needs. One person provided us with an example of how the service supported them improve their skin integrity condition. One relative told us; “The mangers pop in every couple of days anyway and they do it 6 to 8 weeks or if anything major changes they do a review again. The managers pop in see her and have a chat with the carers, very hands on.”

In their PIR response, the registered manager told us; “We amend our client’s care and support plans when their needs, choice and decisions change. We ask our clients about their lifestyle preferences and aspirations and support them to achieve these through encouragement to achieve their full potential.” This process was evident in the care documentation we looked at as part of the assessment. The service had a system in place to review people’s care and support periodically or sooner if needed. This process was explained to people in the service’s Client Guide.

Staff found the communication with the management team effective. One staff member told us that they have weekly handovers or they can call the office whenever they want. The management team were holding weekly informal management meetings. Another staff member told us that team meetings were held regularly.

People and relatives provided positive feedback when we asked if staff ask for consent before they provide any care. One relative told us; “They talk to her, is she comfortable or would she like anything? They explain things to her, they talk things through, if she’s not happy they won’t. They’re very clear in their explanation. They make sure she understands before they do anything.”

Staff received training in relation to the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were provided with information related to people's decision-making abilities and preferences. Staff explained to us that they would seek consent from people before support was provided.

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 MCA 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. People's care documentation included information about how to support people to retain their independence. People's consent to care and treatment was sought as part of their initial assessment. Where appropriate people's legal representatives were involved in making significant decisions on behalf of people.