ICare (GB) Limited - Cannock Also known as Stafford

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

This is the first assessment for this service, we assessed all quality statements. At this assessment the rating for this key question is good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this. People’s health and care needs were regularly assessed and monitored. People told us they were regularly consulted and felt involved in their care and support. However, some recording systems needed improving to clearly document actions staff took following concerns. The registered manager responded to our feedback by improving the recording systems in place. Health and social care partners told us the provider worked effectively with them to ensure people received safe care and treatment. 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. However, mental capacity assessments needed to be recorded in more depth and where best interest decisions were made these were not always recorded clearly. The registered manager responded to our feedback by improving recording systems.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

Relatives told us people’s needs were regularly assessed and care plans were recorded in detail. One relative said, “I will say the care plans are really person-centred. They document everything that's important to my [family member]."

Staff told us people’s needs were assessed and all relevant information was stored on an electronic system which they could easily access. One staff member said, “Everything is on the electronic system which is great. If I support a person I haven't seen for a while, I can reread the care plan and see if anything has changed.”

Care plans were extremely detailed and person-centred. Care plans recorded people’s needs, preferences, likes and dislikes. Care plans documented people’s history, culture and values. However, the level of detail recorded in some people's risk assessment was not reflective of the detail recorded in other people's assessments. The provider responded straight away by updating all risk assessments.

People told us staff monitored their health and care needs. One person told us, “The staff are good, they always ask if I am okay, and they write everything down.”

Staff told us they monitored people’s health. One staff member said, “We type up our notes. There is a separate part on the electronic system for monitoring people's needs, for example, people’s fluid intake.”

People’s needs were regularly assessed and monitored. However, where people’s skin or fluid intake required monitoring, it was not always clear how these risks would be managed following any concerns. Where actions had been taken and reported to visiting professionals such as district nurses, these actions were not always clearly recorded in care records. The registered manager responded to our feedback by introducing new follow-on recording systems.

People told us the provider worked effectively with health and social care professionals. One relative told us about their family member returning home from hospital. They said the registered manager carried out a re-assessment of their needs and contacted external health agencies to assist with support and funding. They said, “This additional assistance has taken some of the strain and stress from us for which we are extremely grateful for.”

Staff told us they worked with health and social care professionals and followed their recommendations. One staff member said, “We see and liaise with district nurses. It's important we follow their recommendations. Such as if someone had a pressure area, we would follow their recommendations and continue to report any concerns.”

Visiting professionals told us the provider was quick to provide information and discuss a recent concern with them.

Records and care documentation confirmed the provider worked with other health and social care professionals and followed their recommendations.

People told us staff supported them to live healthier lives. One person told us about healthy meals prepared by staff and another person told us how staff encouraged and supported them to go outside for fresh air.

Staff told us how they encouraged people to make healthy choices. One staff member told us how they encouraged a person to choose healthier meals. They said, “I always offer the healthy alternative first, but ultimately I respect the person's choice.”

Records such as care plans, clearly documented people’s support and care needs, including ways to promote good health and wellbeing.

Relatives told us people’s health and wellbeing had improved through care and support from the provider. One relative told us about how the provider had raised concerns over their family member’s skin. They raised a referral with the district nurse and followed their recommendations. They said the area of skin had now improved.

Staff told us how they monitored people and gave examples about people’s improved health and wellbeing. One staff member told us, "Following consultation with the community mental health team and occupational therapist, 1 person’s health and wellbeing had greatly improved."

Records confirmed appropriate referrals were made to health professionals when needed and regular reviews of people’s health and support needs took place. However, whilst care plans detailed ways to manage risk and improve outcomes for people, follow on actions taken with health professionals needed clearer documentation. For example, staff escalated a concern regarding 1 person's skin. The registered manager confirmed the district nurse had been informed, although this communication was not recorded. The registered manager responded to our feedback by introducing new systems to record escalation of concerns to the relevant professionals.

People told us they made their own choices and staff respected their decisions. One person said, “The staff listen to me, and they respect my choices.”

Staff told us how they promoted choices and respected people’s decisions. One staff member said, “The majority of people have capacity. Where possible we encourage people who lack capacity to make their own choices and decisions. This is important, but sometimes we must make best interest decisions for people.”

Mental capacity assessments took place and were clearly documented. However, these were often brief and needed more in-depth recording. Best interest decisions were not always clearly recorded. The registered manager responded to our feedback by completing more detailed assessments and clearly recorded best interest decisions.