Little Angels Home Care Services

During this assessment we looked at all 8 quality statements in the key question of safe. Recruitment checks were not being safely completed because references were not always sought before commencement of employment and gaps in employment were not explored. This was a breach of Regulation 19 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. There was lack of evidence of staff completing required training to complete their jobs safely, in particular moving and handling and having their competency to administer medication assessed. This was a breach of Regulation 18 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We found concerns with medicines records. Risks to people’s care were well managed but improvements were needed in documenting these. Staff arrived on time and stayed for the required duration of the care calls.

We assessed 6 quality statements in the effective. During this assessment, we found a lack of recording of mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions and inconsistency in how best practice guidance was applied. We received positive feedback regarding staff, and people said staff respected their choices and asked for consent. Staff worked well together to meet the needs of people.

We looked at all the key questions in this domain. People told us staff were kind and supported them to be as independent as possible in line with their choices. Staff could describe how they supported people with their choices.

People received person centred care. However, care records were not always consistently detailed. Staff understood the health and care needs of people and responded well to involve external professionals when needed. People were supported to access care in ways that met their personal needs and preferences.

While people we spoke to said that they were happy with their care, our assessment found elements of care did not meet the expected standard. We identified two breaches of the legal regulations. Throughout the inspection, the nominated individual was responsive to the findings of this inspection and open with us about the challenges in relation to the service’s recent management changes. The provider had already started to take action to address these concerns, including reviewing their policies and procedures, staff training, and reviewing care plans.