The Chocolate Quarter Home Care Service

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 who needed support to mobilise had detailed moving and handling plans in place with guidance for staff to follow. The provider employed an occupational therapist (OT) who was available to visit people in their own homes to carry out assessments. The service also referred people to the community OT as appropriate. The OT wrote step by step guidance for staff and was on hand to review people if their needs changed.

Staff had training on manual handling and when new equipment was needed for people, staff were shown how to use it safely. The provider also employed a physiotherapist who was also on hand with the OT to provide people and staff with support.

Incidents of safeguarding were investigated and reported. However, we found for one person the service had not reported concerns in a timely way. Whilst they had worked closely with the person's GP, healthcare professionals and relatives, the local authority had not been informed. A referral to the local authority had been made prior to our inspection.

Staff received training on safeguarding and dementia and told us they would report any concerns to senior staff or the registered manager. Staff told us they were confident the management would take appropriate action.

People had care plans which were reviewed regularly by the senior team. We observed guidance for one person from the mental health team was not reflected in their care plan. The registered manager acted immediately to update the record. Staff we spoke with told us they were following the guidance from the mental health team in their approach.

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