Alternative Care Limited

Alternative Care Limited is registered with the Care Quality Commission as a domiciliary care agency. They provide personal and social care to people living in their own homes including some community supported living houses. No calls are less than an hour's duration and all include social support such as supporting people to go out or spending time with the person engaging with them in activities of their choice.

At the time of our inspection there were 29 people receiving personal care.

Why the service is rated 'Good'.

Risks associated with care and the environment in which people received their care and support were well assessed.

Although staff recruitment procedures were safe at the last inspection the provider had reviewed, developed and improved the process which had led to improved staff retention. This was safe and well planned.

Staff understood how to recognise and report any safeguarding concerns they had. There were enough staff to meet people's needs with no calls missed.

People's medicines were managed safely.

Staff had a thorough induction and had access to on-going training and support. Training was bespoke to the service and staff's understanding of their training was regularly checked through progress reviews and reflective practice.

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

The provider asked for people's consent to care and treatment. Some key information relating to this was in accessible formats.

The provider supported people to access health and social care professionals when needed.

People were supported to make choices about their lifestyles and the activities they engaged in. Staff understood how to respect people's privacy and dignity.

There was person-centred information in people's care plans. Accessible formats had been used effectively

to enable people to understand their care plans.

Staff told us they enjoyed working at the service, and said they had a good relationship with the management team including the provider. They told us the registered manager was supportive and approachable.

People were consulted about the service they received and were kept informed of developments and relevant issues through a quarterly newsletter.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

The five questions we ask about services and what we found