CAS Care Solutions

The provider was promoting a positive culture within the service and achieving good outcomes for people. We received positive feedback overall from people's relatives, staff and external health professionals. A relative said, "It has been very good, very organised from the beginning…very supportive." A health professional told us, "I can only stress how impressed I have been with this company's care, compassion and professionalism." Staff told us they felt valued and respected.

There was a clear management structure and staff were aware of the provider's values, aims and objectives. Staff were encouraged to express their opinions about how the service could develop. They told us the provider supported staff development and career progression as well as work-life balance. The provider carried out surveys to gather feedback from people who used the service, staff and external professionals.

Feedback from relatives confirmed they felt people received safe care. Staff understood the procedures for keeping people safe and knew how to recognise signs of potential harm or abuse. Staff were confident appropriate action would be taken if they raised any concerns. Risk assessments were undertaken and provided guidance for staff about steps to take to minimise any risk when providing care.

Care plans contained information about people's medicines and the support they required to take them. The provider was going to review some aspects of the medication system to ensure any changes or procedures were clear. There were appropriate policies and procedures in place to control the spread of infection.

Staff were deployed in sufficient numbers and were provided with an induction, training and ongoing support to meet people's needs. Relatives confirmed care workers turned up when people were expecting them to. Staff told us the service "Get the right mix regarding staff and clients." The provider told us that staff recruitment was a challenge currently and so they had not been taking on new clients to ensure the service was not overstretched.

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.

The provider completed detailed assessments before confirming that they could meet people's needs. People were involved in planning their care to meet their needs and preferences. People's care plans focused on them as individuals. Staff spoke respectfully about people and in the way they described supporting people to maintain dignity and independence.

Records showed concerns and complaints were investigated and responded to by the provider in line with their policy and timescales.