Ascentia Support Services Ltd

Ascentia Support Services Ltd is a small domiciliary care service, currently providing support to 4 people. One of the people was not using the service at the time of the inspection, but might do so again in the near future.

Not everyone that used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

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 and the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s safety was promoted because the service assessed, monitored and managed their safety well. Potential risks that people may face had been identified, assessed and were regularly reviewed. The assessments provided information about steps that care staff could take to support people to ensure that any potential risks were minimised.

The service had enough staff to cater for the needs of the people currently using the service. Pre-employment checks had been carried out for care staff. These checks helped to safeguard people using the service by ensuring that only suitable applicants were offered work with the service.

No one currently using the service required help to take their medicines. The provider had ensured that all staff were trained during their induction to be ready to provide care with medicines should anyone require this in future.

People were protected from the risks associated with poor infection control because the service used effective infection, prevention, and control measures. Personal protective equipment, for example face masks, gloves, and hand sanitiser, were provided in suitable quantities to staff. Guidance and training for staff were provided and staff were assessed to ensure these skills were maintained.

The service completed an assessment of each person’s needs and personal wishes about how they were cared for, and care plans included guidance about meeting these needs.

There was a process in place to report, monitor and learn from accidents and incidents. Significant events had not taken place although the provider told us if any events did occur these would be documented and reviewed in line with the service’s policy and guidance.

There was an effective training system in place. People were supported by staff who had received relevant induction training in evidence-based practice.

People’s nutritional needs were met. Care staff did support some people to prepare light meals on occasions although no-one currently required help to eat or drink. The service had taken steps to make sure people’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed.

People’s health needs were met. Care staff were able to assist people to attend healthcare appointments if requested. Usually people themselves, with the assistance of a family member, managed these appointments independently.

Staff respected people’s choices, including those relevant to protected characteristics, for example, due to disability, cultural or religious preferences.

Governance processes were effective and helped to assess, monitor and check the quality of the service provided to people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This is the first inspection of the service. This service was registered with us on 10 November 2021.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.