Archived: Christchurch Care at Home

Christchurch Care at Home is a domiciliary care agency that was providing personal care to 48 older adults living in their own homes at the time of our inspection. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. 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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they felt safe. Staff understood how to recognise signs of abuse and understood the actions needed to keep people safe. Risks to people were assessed, monitored and regularly reviewed. Staff were knowledgeable about the actions needed to reduce the risk of avoidable harm. Staff recruitment processes ensured applicants were suitable to work with older people. There were enough staff, with the right skills, to meet people’s needs. People had their medicines administered safety. Infection, prevention and control practices were in line with current government guidance.

Assessments had been completed gathering information about people’s care needs and choices. Any equipment needed was in place and in good working order. Staff received an induction, on-going training and support, that enabled them to carry out their roles effectively. Staff understood the health issues people lived with and worked alongside other professionals to ensure effective care. 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.

People spoke positively about the care they received and felt involved in decisions. Staff understood the importance of respecting people’s privacy and independence. People described staff as kind, caring and respectful.

People received care that reflected their needs, choices and lifestyle. Staff knew people well, which meant they were able to recognise and respond to their changing care needs. People and their families had an opportunity to be involved in end of life planning, ensuring their last wishes, spiritual and cultural needs were known. A complaints process was in place that people felt able to use if needed. Records demonstrated the process had been used appropriately in line with the organisation’s policy.

The culture of the service was open, honest and person centred. Staff spoke positively about their work and felt supported in their roles. Quality assurance processes were effective at improving outcomes for people. Partnerships with other agencies supported new ideas and provided up to date national guidance supporting best practice.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

This service was registered with us on 8 July 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned first inspection so that we could rate 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.