SureCare (Reading and East Berkshire) is a domiciliary care agency providing support to people living in their own home within the community. At the time of the inspection they were providing personal care for 19 people.

At the last inspection the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good:

People received safe care from the service. Improvements had been made so that staff were recruited as safely as possible. Medicines were managed safely by staff who had received appropriate training. Risk assessments were completed to enable people to receive care with a minimum of risk to themselves or the care staff.

People continued to receive effective care from staff who were trained in the necessary skills to fulfil their role. Staff were supported through one to one meetings, appraisals and staff meetings. They had opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge as well as gain relevant qualifications.

People’s healthcare needs were monitored and advice was sought from healthcare professionals when necessary. 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.

The service remained caring and people reported staff were kind and patient. Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and treated them with respect. People told us they could make decisions about their care.

The service remained responsive to people’s individual needs. Care plans were person-centred and focused on the preferences of each person. People and their relatives knew how to make a complaint or raise a concern.

The service continued to be well-led. The registered manager promoted an open culture and worked toward improving the service. People’s views were sought and the quality of the service was monitored. Action was taken to make improvements when issues were identified.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.

This inspection took place on 14 January 2015 and was announced. Surecare (Reading and East Berkshire) is a domiciliary care service and at the time of the inspection was providing personal care for 19 people living in their own homes.

At the time of the inspection two registered managers were in post, one was also the provider. 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. After the inspection the provider informed us that the other registered manager had resigned his position and is in the process of cancelling his registration with the Care Quality Commission.

The provider’s recruitment procedures were not as robust as they should be. Gaps in employment history and not been identified and explained. It is the responsibility of the provider to obtain a full employment history to ensure people are protected from the risk of being cared for by staff who may be unsuitable.

Staff felt well supported by the registered manager and provider and said they were listened to if they raised concerns. One staff member said they were listened to and action was taken when issues were raised. However, they felt the provider could do more to prevent issues and concerns arising in the first place.

People using the service told us they were happy with the service they received from Surecare (Reading and East Berkshire). There were systems in place to manage risks to people and staff. Staff were aware of how to keep people safe by reporting concerns promptly through procedures they understood well.

The provider had a good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and staff understood their responsibilities in relation to gaining consent before providing support and care. New staff received induction, training and spent time with experienced members of staff before working alone with people. People told us they felt staff were well trained.

People told us that staff treated them with kindness, dignity and compassion. People also said they were respected, involved in decisions about their care and asked for their views on the service. The quality of the service was monitored by the registered manager and provider.

People’s needs were reviewed regularly and up to date information was communicated to staff. Staff contacted healthcare professionals in a timely manner if there were concerns about a person’s wellbeing.