We carried out a review of the data available to us about Ashton Domiciliary Care Agency 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 Ashton Domiciliary Care Agency, you can give feedback on this service.
Ashton Domiciliary Care Agency is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care for people living in their own homes. The agency specialises in caring for people with mental health needs. At the time of this inspection, 25 people were receiving personal care support from the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People spoke extremely positively about the service and the care they received. With support from staff, people had greatly improved their quality of life. They were supported not only with their care needs but in gaining the confidence to go out in the community, enjoy new experiences and socialise with others. They were encouraged to maintain and re-establish relationships with family and friends and to look ahead to what they would wish to achieve in the future. One person wrote, ‘I now have my life back, not just an existence’.
People received exceptional care and support from a staff team who valued and celebrated individuality and diversity. Care was highly personalised to meet people's needs. Staff worked creatively to establish communication with people, so their views could be heard. People expressed confidence that they could raise any issues or concerns with any member of staff or the management team and that these would be addressed. A relative said, “I’d recommend them to anyone, very good indeed”.
Staff had confidence supporting people at the end of their lives and were proactive in helping people make plans and arrangements, so their wishes were known.
Strong relationships were formed between staff and people due to the continuity of staff and the very caring approach of staff members. We observed positive and caring relationships between people and staff. People were encouraged to be involved in decisions relating to their care and were treated with dignity and respect.
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 supported people to access healthcare services and would advocate for them when required. People were supported in their independence and in gaining skills, such as in preparing meals for themselves.
Care staff were well informed about risks to people's health or wellbeing and knew how to deliver their care safely. People said staff arrived on time and they were informed in advance of which carers would be supporting them. Staff supported people to take their medicines or reminded them when they were due. People were protected from the risk of infection. Everyone we spoke with felt safe in the company of staff.
People spoke positively about the staff who supported them and had confidence in their skills and
experience. Staff had regular supervisions and an annual appraisal.
People benefited from a well led service. The registered manager had shaped a culture where people were at the heart of the service. There was a clear leadership and management structure in place which helped to ensure staff were clear about their role and responsibilities. The service was well organised and had a range of systems in place to ensure its smooth operation and to support good communication. In the provider’s survey a relative commented, ‘I always give them a glowing report. Couldn't be without them’.
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 3 December 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the registration date of the service.
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.