All inspections: United Response - Leeds-Harrogate DCA

We visited five people in their own homes and spoke with them about how they were respected and involved with their care. We found that people had been involved in deciding what support would work for them and how that support would be delivered. People we spoke with told us their consent to care was always obtained before support commenced, and if any changes were made to the support people received from the agency. This made sure that people agreed to the care that they received.

We saw from people's care plans that people were supported to live as independently as possible. The agency had carried out sufficient assessments of the needs of each person and kept this under review. This ensured that appropriate care and support was given. One person we spoke with made comments such as 'I am quite happy with everything.'

The service had in place policies and procedures covering medication. People told us they received their medication at the right time. Staff working for the agency received regular medication training. This made sure that people received their medication as prescribed.

We reviewed the level of staffing for the agency. People we spoke with confirmed that there were enough staff to support them with their care needs.

The organisation had systems in place to make sure people were safely cared for. This included policies and procedures and quality monitoring systems.

We carried out a themed inspection looking at domiciliary care services. We asked people to tell us what it was like to receive services from this home care agency as part of a targeted inspection programme of domiciliary care agencies with particular regard to how people's dignity was upheld and how they can make choices about their care.

We used home visits to people who use the service to gain views about the service. We spoke to six people who receive support, four members of staff, two managers and carried out four home visits. Some of the houses we visited accommodated between one and five people and support was provided over twenty-four hours.

People who used the service were given appropriate information and support regarding their care or treatment. People told us they had been involved in planning their support package. The agency was described as 'alright' and 'good' by two people. One person told us, that the staff from the agency were 'kind' and that they felt happy with the care workers who visited and supported them. All the people we talked with were happy with staff from the agency and that they felt they were respected and involved in their care decisions.

Everyone we spoke with said they felt safe with the staff from the agency and that if they needed to raise concerns they were happy to do this and thought that this would be dealt with properly. One person told us, "I did get something sorted out.' This person went on to explain who she had talked to and how things had been resolved.

People who use the service told us they were very happy with the care and support they received. People said that they are involved with all decision making about the care and support they wanted.

Care workers were described as 'all good workers' People also made comments such as,' I like it here we go out with support workers', 'I like all of the staff ' and 'the agency provides regular staff who are all very good. I am very pleased with the service.'

People who use services told us that they were involved with the recruitment of care workers. They also told us how care workers supported them on a day to day basis with such things as shopping, cooking and cleaning and how they were able to go out to various activities with support. People told us that they choose which care workers they want to support them daily.

People were confident that care workers understood what medication they needed to take and were content to allow care workers to take responsibility for this. Although some people were able to look after their own medication. People who received services made comments about care workers such as ' The agency have staff that are trained well.'

Care workers we spoke to told us that they received good training and support from the agency. Care workers told us that they all receive regular supervision and that the manager is always contactable for support.

North Yorkshire County Council told us that they were not aware of any concerns about this service.

Archived: United Response - Leeds-Harrogate DCA

All Inspections

8 August 2013

During a routine inspection

4 July 2012

During a themed inspection looking at Domiciliary Care Services

17 February 2011

During a routine inspection