24 June 2016
During a routine inspection
The Hospital of God Care Services is a domiciliary care agency, registered to provide personal care to support people to continue living in their own homes through pursuing hobbies, playing board games, carrying out arts and crafts, listening to music and preparing snacks. The service supports people to access activities in the community including going shopping, attending leisure facilities, the cinema, museums, tea dances, going out for lunch or to the seaside. The service also provides respite for carers and their families.
The Hospital of God Care Services was last inspected by CQC on 30 July 2014 and was meeting the regulations inspected. At the time of our inspection the service was providing support to 16 people.
People who used the service were complimentary about the standard of care and support provided by The Hospital of God Care Services. People told us, “I am really happy with the service” and “The staff are very helpful and supportive”.
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. There was also a community services manager and a senior support worker appointed by the registered provider to manage the day to day operation of the service.
The registered manager was accessible and approachable. Staff and people who used the service felt able to speak with the registered manager and provided feedback on the service. The registered manager undertook regular spot checks to review the quality of the service provided.
The registered provider had an effective system in place to identify, assess and manage risks to health, safety and welfare. People were kept safe and free from harm.
The registered provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant checks when they employed staff. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service. Staff were able to accommodate last minute changes to appointments as requested by the people who used the service.
Staff were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities and training was up to date. Staff had the experience required to support people with their care and support needs.
Staff received supervision and appraisal which meant that staff were properly supported to provide care to people who used the service.
Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people were involved in making decisions about their care. Care plans were written in a person centred way. ‘Person-centred ‘is about ensuring the person is at the centre of everything and their individual wishes, needs and choices are taken into account. The care plans made good use of personal history and described individuals care, wellbeing and support needs. These were reviewed regularly or when people’s needs changed.
Staff knew the people they were supporting and provided a personalised service. Staff supported people to help them maintain their independence. People were encouraged to care for themselves where possible. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.
The service had policies and procedures in place that provided staff with clear instructions.
Records were kept securely and could be located when needed.