Care Quality Commission (CQC) Good

Here’s what they said about our homecare services:

• “All the parents of young people were confident that the Enfield Carers Homecare workers supporting their children knew how to keep their children safe when they were not present.
• Comprehensive risk assessments provided guidance to staff and were reviewed regularly.
• ECC homecare staff had received medicines training and people received their medicines safely and on time.
• There were robust recruitment systems in place to ensure staff were safe to work with vulnerable people.
• People and relatives told us they valued the support offered to them by our homecare staff and appreciated their professional and dedicated approach to their work.”

The inspection confirmed that Enfield Carers Homecare staff arrived at the time stipulated in the care plan and were involved in a meaningful way with the people they worked with. Cared-for people were supported so that they have maximum choice and control of their lives.

Enfield Carers Homecare staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Our homecare staff were described as:

• • “Tremendous”
  • “A life saver”
  • “Dedicated” 
  • “Lovely”

Staff that the Care Quality Commission spoke with were passionate about the care they provided and knew people well.

The report also noted that Enfield Carers Centre’s clients usually had the same care staff visiting them and that they were treated with dignity and respect and recognised as individuals with their own likes and dislikes.

Cared-for clients had detailed care plans which reflected how they wanted to receive their care.

Care plans were reviewed regularly.

They and their relatives were fully involved in all aspects of planning care.

Cared-for clients were encouraged to take part in activities that were meaningful to them.

The Care Quality Commision said:

• “everyone we spoke with thought the organisation was well-managed and that the office staff were very approachable and obliging.”
• “Enfield Carers Centre’s clients were very happy with the care given and appreciated the short periods of time they were given for themselves whilst care workers looked after their loved ones.”
• “The homecare service valued people and relatives’ feedback and there were numerous ways in which this was gathered.”

How good is our service for people with autistic and learning disability?

The Care Quality Commission inspects home care providers and their workers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability have the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the statutory guidance which supports Care Quality Commission to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

Care Quality Commission’s report confirmed that Enfield Carers Homecare “was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of ‘Right support, right care, right culture’.

• “People were treated as individuals with their own preferences.
• Care was person centred and tailored to achieve maximum wellbeing for people.
• Staff had received training in working with people with a learning disability and/or autism.
• The values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.”

Is the service provided by Enfield Carers Homecare safe?

The Care Quality Commission inspected us recently.

Key is checking that clients are protected from abuse and avoidable harm.

Enfield Carers Homecare has been rated “Good”.

The report said “People were protected from the risk of abuse and harm by staff who understood their responsibilities around safeguarding.”  

People and relatives told [the CQC that, “care staff were skilled in what they did and people were confident they or their loved ones were safe in the care of staff from Enfield Carers Homecare service.”

One person said, “I just know I’m safe with the carers. I like them.”

Relatives commented, “I know the children are safe with their carers because the children like them. I would know if they didn’t like them, because they would not want to go out with them. The carers look after the children really well. They know what to do. One of my daughters reacts if she sees dogs and the carers know this”.

“Yes, Mum does feel safe with her carer as she chats with her and makes mum smile and laugh.”

The report confirmed our homecare staff had received training in safeguarding which was refreshed regularly and staff understood how to recognise and report any concerns around safeguarding.

In addition, the Enfield Carers Homecare Service “ensured people were kept safe through comprehensive risk assessments“.

People’s personal risks were assessed and guidance for staff in how to minimise know risks was documented in their care plans and risk assessments.

Risks assessed included skin integrity, behaviours, food allergies and moving and handling.

Prior to the Enfield Carers Homecare Service providing care, an environmental risk assessment was completed on the property to ensure all risks were known about and minimised.

On our excellent homecare staff

The Care Quality Commission’s latest inspection of Enfield Carers Homecare Service confirmed that “there were enough staff to meet people’s identified care needs and provide continuity of care”.

All people and relatives told us care staff were very reliable, always stayed the correct amount of time and arrived on time.

A person said, “The carers are always on time and stay for the right amount of time.”

Relatives told [the CQC], “Yes, carers always stay for the full amount of time and are always here on time, too. I need the carer here by 7:30am so I can leave to go to work, and they are always on time” and “They [care staff] are absolutely brilliant, always on time and very reliable.”

People had the same homecare staff visiting them and were able to build effective working relationships with their care workers.

A person told [the CQC], “Yes my carers are all regular carers, they haven’t changed that much in the year I have had them.”

A relative said, “Yes we need continuity for mum as she has dementia, so have requested the same carer to provide support and have received it, which we are grateful of.”

On the quality of our caring

The Care Quality Commission inspected Enfield Carers Centre’s Homecare Service in 2022.

The inspection looks for evidence that our homecare service treats our clients with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect; and involves them as partners in their care.

We are very proud that the feedback from relatives around how kind and caring our staff were, was exceptionally positive.

One person told [the CQC],“I like my carers. They are kind and caring. I like being with them.”

Relatives commented, “[Named] likes to have cuddles and the carers do this well. He likes his carers very much and knows when they are due. Both carers are kind, calm and sweet natured. They are also very patient” and “the carers are kind and caring and know what they are doing. The children really like them.”

Relatives were also positive around the support they and their loved ones received and felt their needs were fully understood and respected.

A person said, “My carer is lovely, and she understands my needs and works with me accordingly.”

Relatives said, “The support we get from this organisation is just what we wanted and really needed. Without them, I don’t know what I would have done. Sometimes it really gets on top of me, and they help me through it.”

“Carers are great with the kids. They know exactly what each of them need and it is going well.”

There were regular reviews of people’s care plans. Relatives said, “My daughters care plan is reviewed every six months and changes recorded and updated”.

A relative also commented, “Carers get along very well with [person] and know her well. They are very respectful with her. They are very patient too.”