SDA Domiciliary Care Services

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection, we found the service remained Good but improved its rating of the key question of Responsive to 'Outstanding'.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received care that was exceptionally responsive to their individual needs. People using the service and their relatives commented the registered manager and staff went over and beyond to place people at the centre of the service. Health and social care professionals highly commended staff for meeting people's needs. The registered manager and provider continually looked for ways of developing the service to enhance people's lives. This was in line with the provider's vision to ensure people living with a physical disability enjoyed and lived their lives to the fullest and as equal citizens.

A high person centred approach greatly minimised the risk of social isolation and loneliness prevalent to people with a physical disability. The provider, registered manager and staff were abundantly flexible in supporting people to pursue their hobbies, develop new interests and skills. People received support to undertake activities at home and in the community regardless of whether this formed part of their care package or not. The provider developed plans which enabled people living with a disability access activities, events and opportunities available to those without a disability.

People had their health and well-being needs assessed. Staff delivered care and support to people as planned and in line with their choices and preferences. People knew how to make a complaint and were confident issues would be resolved.

Staff delivered people's care with kindness and compassion. People had their dignity and privacy maintained. People had access to information and advocacy services they required.

People received care in a manner which protected them from the risk of harm. Appropriate arrangements remained in place for staff to identify and report safeguarding concerns and abuse. Risk assessments and management plans were detailed and ensured people continued to receive safe care and support. There were enough numbers of suitably recruited staff deployed to provide care. Staff administered and managed people's medicines in a safe way. Staff knew how to prevent and control the risk of infection. Staff learnt from incidents.

People underwent an ongoing assessment and review of their needs. Staff delivered care in line legislation and best practice guidance. Staff received support to undertake their roles, attended training and had supervision. People received the support they required to eat healthily and meet their dietary needs. People had access to healthcare services.

People enjoyed good standards of care because of the regular checks and audits carried out on the support they received. People benefitted from an open culture at the service that focussed on their individual needs. The provider valued people's feedback and made the necessary improvements to develop the service.

People using the service and staff commended the management team and the manner in which they managed the service. The close working partnership of the registered manager with other agencies ensured people received joined up care and high standards of support.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found