LIBERTAS

Not everyone who uses the service might receive 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. At the time of the inspection the service was providing support to 194 people.

People's medicines were mostly managed safely, although sometimes inconsistent care visit times meant medicines were administered later than scheduled, which increased risks to people's health from conditions such as diabetes.

We have made a recommendation to the provider about reviewing care visit times to ensure safe administration of medicines.

Staff received training in safe administration of medicines and had their competency checked by senior staff. Staff worked with local pharmacies and GPs to make sure people had the correct medicine.

Staff had received training in safeguarding and understood how to recognise and report any concerns. Most people told us they felt safe due to knowing the staff and staff treated them with kindness. However, not all people felt this way. Some people had concerns about new staff and agency staff who they felt did not know them or understand how to meet their needs.

People felt confident to speak up where they had concerns but did not always feel their concerns were listened to by the management team.

People's care was regularly reviewed and updated where changes were required. The registered manager conducted various audits to review what was working and what needed to be improved. These were not always effective in identifying the full extent of concerns in relation to care visit times.

Risks to people's health and wellbeing were assessed and staff understood what they were doing and how to identify and report any concerns.

The registered manager ensured all staff had recruitment checks prior to employment to make sure they were suitable for their role and people would be safe.

Staff received full training and induction and took time shadowing other staff. This was so they could get to know people well and how they liked things to be done before providing their care.

People were supported by staff who used effective control measures to reduce the risks of infection and COVID-19. This included washing their hands regularly and followed the latest government guidance.

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