We carried out a review of the data available to us about Constantia Care Limited on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Constantia Care Limited, you can give feedback on this service.
Constantia Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses on a live-in care basis. This means that the care workers live with the person for a set period. It provides a service to older adults including those requiring end of life care and some people living with dementia. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; 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, there were 66 people receiving personal care.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported safely with their medicines. The service followed Infection prevention and control good practice guidance. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care workers assisted them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People's needs were appropriately assessed before support began. The service worked together with healthcare professionals and relatives to ensure people's needs could be met. People felt safe in the care of Constantia Care Limited.
People's care plans were detailed and kept up to date to ensure they received effective care and support. The service encouraged people to be independent and maintain a safe living environment.
Care workers supported people who used the service to be involved in maintaining their own health and wellbeing where possible. Care workers communicated with the person in a way that met their needs.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published 16th Feb 2019).
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.
Constantia Care is a domiciliary care agency based in Barnet. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses on a live-in care basis. This means that the care staff live with the person for a set period. It provides a service to older adults including those requiring end of life care and some people living with dementia. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; 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, there were 110 people receiving personal care, living in and around the London area
The service had a registered manager who was also the company director. 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.
At our last inspection in March 2017, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found that although the service remains rated Good overall, we identified areas for improvement in the ‘Is it safe?’ section of the report which has been rated as Requires Improvement.
Systems were in place to ensure that staff were safely recruited, however, we identified instances where references did not correspond with the staff members employment history.
People and relatives told us they felt safe with staff from Constantia Care, however, we identified that risks associated with people’s care were not always assessed.
We also identified inconsistencies in how the service documented medicines support. We have made a recommendation around medicines management.
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from people and relatives regarding the caring and professional nature of staff and their overall experience of the service provided.
The provider employed sufficient skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. We saw evidence of a comprehensive staff induction and an on-going training programme. Staff received regular supervisions and annual appraisals.
Care plans were person centred and reflected what was important to the person. Care needs were regularly reviewed and updated to meet the changing needs of people who used the service.
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 were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare services. People were supported to be independent.
Accidents and incidents were investigated and analysed. Improvements were made because of learning from incidents.
There was a complaints procedure in place. People and relatives confirmed that they knew how to complain and felt that any concerns raised would be listened to. The provider actively sought feedback from people and relatives.
The registered manager and management team carried out regular checks and audits to ensure that the people were receiving high quality care.
Constantia Care Limited is a domiciliary care service run by Constantia Care Limited. The service provides live-in care service to people with dementia and older people in their own homes. At the time of inspection 60 people were receiving personal care and live-in care services.
The service had a registered manager 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 using the service and their relatives were happy with the service and found staff compassionate, caring and helpful. The service was ‘companionship-led’ and delivered person-centred care that met people’s individual health and care needs. Staff interacted with people and engaged with them in a meaningful manner.
Staff followed appropriate procedures to safeguard people from harm. They had the understanding of protecting people against abuse and their role in promptly reporting poor care and abuse. Risk assessments provided adequate information and instructions to staff on the safe management of identified risks. People were supported well with medicines management.
Staff were skilled, well-trained and demonstrated good understanding of people’s individual needs and preferences. They received regular supervision and support from the management. The service followed appropriate recruitment practices. We found references missing for one staff member which were provided to us on the second day of inspection visit.
Staff asked people’s consent before providing care, gave them choices and provided appropriate support to people that lacked capacity to make decisions.
People’s nutrition and hydration needs were met. People were very happy with staff’s cooking skills and abilities. They found the service reliable and staff trustworthy. Staff daily emailed the care coordinators people’s daily care records, these records included information on how people were supported.
Care plans were detailed and regularly reviewed; they recorded people’s individual needs, likes and dislikes. They included instructions for staff on how to support people to meet their needs and wishes.
The management maintained good systems and procedures to monitor and assess the quality and safety of the service delivery. They regularly visited people’s homes to observe staff supporting people with their care needs, and addressed any concerns raised immediately. The service regularly asked people and their relatives how they found the service via feedback survey forms and six weekly visits. Any areas identified as needing improvement was addressed immediately. People and their relatives told us the service was well led and were happy with the service and the staff team.
The service worked with health and care professionals in improving emotional and physical wellbeing of people and their relatives. They supported local organisations by carrying out fundraising activities.