Horizon Care & Welfare Association

We last inspected the service in January 2016 and found the provider was meeting the fundamental standards. We rated the service 'Good' overall.

The provider did not always assess risks to people's care in line with best practice as part of doing all they could to reduce the risks. This meant written guidance for staff in reducing risks, such as those relating to medicines, infection control, falls, eating and drinking and behaviours which may challenge the service were lacking for some people. The provider did not always manage people's medicines safely as systems were not in place to audit medicines records frequently to check people received their medicines as prescribed.

People felt safe with the staff who cared for them and there were systems in place safeguarding people from abuse and improper treatment. There were enough staff deployed to care for people and the provider checked staff were suitable to work with people through recruitment checks.

Staff received the support they required to understand and meet people's needs. The provider trained new staff with a suitable induction and an annual training programme. Staff received regular supervision with annual appraisal.

People were supported to maintain their health and with eating and drinking. People received care in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

The provider consulted with people as part of assessing their needs and also reviewed any professional reports. The provider developed care plans based on their assessments which guided staff about people and their needs. People were involved in decisions regarding their care.

Staff were caring and understood the people they cared for. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their privacy and dignity. Staff supported people to maintain their independence.

The complaints process in place remained suitable and people were confident the provider would respond appropriately to any concerns or complaints.

The registered manager and staff understood their role and responsibilities. The provider had systems in place to assess, monitor and improve the service, although systems to check risk assessments and medicines management required improving.

The provider gathered feedback from people and relatives regarding the quality of care and carried out observations of staff to check they provided care at the expected standard. The provider communicated openly with staff and external professionals.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found