# A Class Care

*Operated by A Class Care Limited.*

A Class Care is a CQC-regulated home-care agency in Cambridge.

## CQC Ratings

| Key question | Rating |
| --- | --- |
| Overall | Good |
| Safe | Good |
| Effective | Good |
| Caring | Good |
| Responsive | Good |
| Well-led | Good |

Rating published: 18/01/2020

## Practical info

- Postcode: CB23 3UY
- Registered manager: Vaughan, Bethany
- Local authority: Cambridgeshire
- Region: East
- City: Cambridge
- Last CQC check: 18/Jan/2020 - 00:00

## Inspection findings

### Other

- Finding
  - Evidence: Proactive registered manager investing in new senior roles (liaison officer, team leader, administrator, training officer)
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Sufficient staffing levels with continuity of care workers, particularly valued for live-in care arrangements
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Good understanding and application of Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards by all staff
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective quality assurance system with audits, complaints monitoring and feedback mechanisms driving continuous improvement
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong supervision and support structure including weekly contact, spot checks, employee assistance programme and regular newsletters
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Detailed, person-centred care plans developed with involvement of people and relatives, updated promptly when needs changed
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Medicines management was well-organised with regular competency checks and accurate MAR records
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust pre-employment checks including criminal records, references, competency tests and right-to-work validation
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff were kind, respectful and treated people with dignity; relatives praised staff compassion and the service highly
  - Published: 2020-01-29
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong partnership working with external professionals including GPs, community nurses and local authorities.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Medicines management robust with clear care plan guidance, competency checks and senior audit of medicines records.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Forward-thinking leadership with a five-year strategy, technology investment, electronic records development and community dementia awareness events.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Effective end of life care enabling people to die at home, with written compliments from relatives.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong governance including unannounced spot checks, monthly surveys, audits of care and medication records, and clear trend analysis leading to measurable improvements (e.g. communication satisfaction improved from 42.1% rating poor to 10%).
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Personalised, detailed care plans regularly reviewed and updated, including handover notes covering individual preferences.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff well supported through formal supervision, annual appraisal and informal management support, with additional specialist training (e.g. dementia simulation).
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: Robust recruitment processes including telephone and face-to-face interviews with thorough pre-employment checks.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: People and relatives consistently praised the care and support provided, describing staff as kind, respectful and person-centred.
  - Published: 2020-01-18
- Finding
  - Evidence: End-of-life care training was provided and individual cultural and religious wishes were respected
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff received regular supervisions, spot checks and yearly appraisals to develop their skills
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: Strong partnership working with external organisations including local authority, CCG and safeguarding teams
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: The service used innovative communication methods including newsletters covering MCA, safeguarding and wellbeing topics
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: Complaints were investigated, responded to and actions taken to reduce risk of recurrence
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: People were supported by consistent staff who knew their wishes, preferences and individual needs
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: Staff demonstrated good knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and used visual prompts to support people with fluctuating capacity
  - Published: 2018-04-03
- Finding
  - Evidence: People and relatives felt safe and reported no missed care calls, with staff arriving mainly on time
  - Published: 2018-04-03

## Source

Data published by the [Care Quality Commission](https://www.cqc.org.uk/) under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Canonical page: https://homecarecompass.co.uk/agency/1-2306659186

HomeCare Compass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the CQC.