Bosses at care service blasted
Management at a housing support and care at home service has been heavily criticised for“poor communication and engagement.”
One service manager, who has not been named, was described as “unapproachable,”“not supportive” and unable to show“any empathy or understanding”of the challenges staff under them faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Care Inspectorate report.
They visited Ayrshire Care Solutions, based in Cumnock’s McClymont Court, last month.
Ayrshire Care Solutions is a combined housing support and care at home service for people in Ayrshire.
At the time of the inspection the service supported 39 people living independently in their community.
Leadership was‘weak’according to the Care Inspectorate, while the same low grading was awarded for the service’s ability to support people’s wellbeing. Another area where the service fell short was in their care and support during the pandemic- and in their infection prevention and control practices- both of which were rated ‘weak.’However, the strongest criticism was reserved for management.
Inspectors spoke with six service users and eight relatives.
Comments about the service were generally positive, particularly about the committed and caring staff delivering the support.
The report said:“Unfortunately, the majority of staff told us that the manager was unapproachable and not supportive and did not show any empathy or understanding regarding the challenges they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Other criticisms were aimed at the service’s Covid-19 contingency plan, which the Care Inspectorate branded “inadequate.”
The service was graded‘weak’across eight quality indicators and‘adequate’ across two others.
The Care Inspectorate has ordered improvements to be put in place including the service continues to meet people’s needs and that care and support is formally reviewed and ensure that staff are suitably trained and skilled for their role.
The service have been urged to provide evidence that good progress is made to ensure that people experiencing care benefit from support plans that are person-centred, up-to-date and reflect their rights, preferences, and desired outcomes.
The inspector ordered them to ensure that people experiencing support are protected from harm, and establish quality assurance processes, that are effective and well led, take appropriate measures to keep people safe from the risk of infection.
A further measure was ensure that the service has a comprehensive contingency plan in place which includes the measures to be taken if a Covid-19 outbreak impacts on staffing levels.