The Beacon

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.

Medicines were administered and audited in line with established best practice. Policies, procedures and staff knowledge reflected this. The registered manager assessed staff competence on a regular basis.

Record keeping and quality assurance processes were clear. The registered manager was committed to identifying ways of continually improving the service.

Processes were in place to ensure pre-employment checks took place.

Out of hours emergency arrangements were in place. There had been no missed calls and people told us staff arrived on time, stayed for the duration of the planned call and never appeared rushed.

Staff were well trained and supported to meet people's needs confidently and effectively.

Staff liaised well with external healthcare professionals to ensure people received the help they required.

People and their relatives gave consistently positive praise about the caring and compassionate approach of staff.

People felt involved in the planning and review of their care. This was enabled through introductory meetings and regular reviews.

The service delivered end of life care and support to people who wanted to remain in their own homes. They did this tactfully and with patience. All people and relatives we spoke with praised how sensitively staff conducted themselves.

People were encouraged to maintain levels of independence by staff who had regard to their likes, dislikes

and individualities.

The service was well-led by a registered manager who took personal accountability and ensured the culture was open, supportive and inclusive.

Staff consistently described the registered manager as supportive and approachable. They took pride in working for the service.