Freedom Care 24/7 Ltd

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

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. This is the first inspection for this newly registered service. This key question has been rated good. This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

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.

People were involved in their assessments and identifying what support they needed and how this was to be delivered. A relative told us, “Yes, we always discuss with social services and together we looked for care services.” Another relative said, “They did a whole assessment of their needs.”

Staff told us they reviewed people’s care assessments to understand their individual support needs. One member of staff told us, “Before starting with a new client, I need to read everything about them and check his/her daily routine.” We were told that the electronic system used by staff to record people’s health and support needs was accessible and easy to understand. Staff told us they continuously assessed people’s support needs and reported any changes they identified.

Processes were in place to assess people’s needs. This included working with people and their relatives to identify their care needs and how they wished to be supported, as well as any additional social and emotional needs they may have.

People received support in line with evidence-based care. This included delivering care in line with people’s wishes and their preferences with meals. People and relatives told us care staff prepared meals in line with people’s preferences and supported them to make hot drinks and snacks.

Staff told us they received regular training, which allowed them to stay up to date with best practise and support people safely. A care worker said, “I am all up to date with reading policies. There is lots of training always…it is very good and we get a lot of knowledge from it.”

Systems reviewed how people were being supported to ensure it continued to meet their needs, and care delivery could be adjusted as and when necessary.

Staff worked well together to provide consistency in service delivery. A relative told us, “Between themselves they are very good at sharing information. They are very diligent. Its heart felt care.”

Staff told us they worked well with other colleagues and the wider management team. They also collaborated effectively with other professionals when supporting people, and escalated things when support needs changed. One care worker said, “We do follow up appointments in the support plans……For example, for the physio we are given a plan for the exercise we should be doing. The physio will say they are discharging them, but we might contact them if the person needs more physio.”

Partner agencies felt they were unable to comment on the arrangements in place regarding how staff, teams and services work together.

The electronic care records system enabled staff to communicate well with each other and ensure continuity of care.

Staff supported people to lead healthier lives. They liaised with other healthcare professionals involved in the person’s care when required, and supported people to attend healthcare appointments. One relative said, “[My family member] also has appointments looking after their hearing and eyesight. The care workers always go with them to these appointments and get all the information and inform us about everything that is going on.”

Staff highlighted the importance of supporting people to live healthier lives by assisting with doctors’ appointments, encouraging healthy food choices and promoting exercise. One care worker told us, “We always advise healthy food, like vegetables and fruit.” They emphasised people’s choice when making decisions about their own health. A care worker told us, “We always encourage water and make sure they drink tea or coffee or whatever their preference…. One of my residents prefers Mauritian food and I make a Mauritian salad that is healthy.”

Processes were in place to ensure people were supported with their health needs. Information was included in their care records about any health conditions people had and how this may affect them. Information was also provided to staff about any adverse side effects of medicines, complications associated with any long-term conditions and signs that a person’s health was declining so prompt support could be obtained.

People, relatives and staff worked together to ensure good outcomes for people. One relative said, “If I go there and the staff are there. We work together. They are easy to work with. They listen and are flexible.”

Staff monitored the support they were delivering to ensure it was appropriate, in line with people’s individual care needs and promoted positive outcomes.

Regular reviews of people’s care and support needs ensured the service delivered continued to support people to achieve their desired outcomes and where possible enable people to be more independent.

People using the service had the capacity to consent and care staff asked people for their consent before providing support. A relative told us about their family members, “They both have capacity so they are given care exactly as they want it. Everything happens as they want it to.”

Staff emphasised the importance of people’s choice and the need for consent. Care workers told us, “What we do normally is ask them before starting the service if there is anything they would like to do a different way so they can enjoy it. We give their preference and ask them before starting anything.” and “First ask them and give them a choice. I will explain the importance of the things and do this slowly.”

Care records clearly identified whether a person had the capacity to consent to their care and support. Where people did have capacity, clear systems were in place to ensure they were involved and engaged with. Everyone using the service at the time of our assessment had the capacity to consent to their care. Nevertheless, the management team had a conversation with staff during quality checks to ensure they had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and knew what to do should they have concerns that a person may not have the capacity to consent to elements of their care.