‘Inadequate’ Sheffield care provider told to take action on its faults again

Community Outreach, based in Ecclesall, provides services for adults with a range of complex needs including mental health conditions, dementia, physical disabilities and sensory impairments in their own homes.

The Care Quality Commission, an independent body that regulates health and social care services in England, said improvements were needed at Community Outreach in four out of five areas.

It was rated good for caring but inadequate for effectiveness and leadership, and requires improvement for safety and responsiveness.

The overall rating of inadequate was the same as its previous inspection, published in September 2020.

Inspecting officers said there were marginal improvements relating to people’s health and safety since the last assessment but there were still issues around recruitment, staff training and support, systems of governance and record keeping.

In a report, the three officers said: “People and their relatives were happy with the service and leadership. However, ineffective systems which measured the quality and safety of services provided put people at risk.

“The provider was open about the difficulties the service faced before we came to inspect and recognised the service needed to make significant improvements.

“During and after the inspection the provider showed they were committed to addressing our concerns and sent a list of actions they planned to take.”

Community Outreach was told to send a report detailing the actions it will take to address the issues to the CQC which will check to see they are implemented.

Find out more here: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-10326087724/inspection-summary#wellled

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