A care agency in Hammersmith and Fulham has kept its outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission after a fresh inspection found it was still performing exceptionally well.
Kingsmith Care, which provides support in people’s own homes, was reinspected in September after previously being rated outstanding in July 2023. In a report published on October 30, the regulator said the service maintained that grade.
The agency supports people of all ages, including those living with dementia, mental health needs and physical disabilities. Inspectors said people’s experiences with the service were consistently positive, with relatives also expressing confidence in the care being provided.
What inspectors found
Two of the five areas reviewed were given the top mark, namely how caring and well-led Kingsmith is, with the other three rated as ‘good’.
The report highlighted the agency’s personalised approach to care, including support that helped people stay active in their communities and continue with hobbies and social activities. Inspectors said care arrangements were reviewed and adjusted where needed so people could keep taking part in activities that mattered to them.
Examples in the report included support for people to attend swimming sessions, clubs, bingo and concerts. The CQC said this showed staff were helping people remain socially connected and engaged.
Safety and independence highlighted
The watchdog also pointed to positive feedback on safety. According to the report, one person said “absolutely, 100 per cent” when asked whether their family member was safe. Another relative said their loved one was in “safe hands”.
Inspectors said there was evidence that people and their relatives were involved in discussions about risks, falls prevention and changing support needs. Staff were also praised for regularly monitoring the needs of those they supported.
In one case, the report said staff noticed concerns about a person’s worsening eyesight and contacted healthcare professionals to request specialist treatment. The CQC said this reflected an attentive approach and a willingness to respond when needs changed.
Praise from CQC
Amanda Partington-Todd, CQC Deputy Director of Adult Social Care in London, said: “During our inspection of Kingsmith Care we found compassionate staff and leaders who went above and beyond to provide the best care possible.
“Staff delivered highly personalised care which supported people to live meaningful and independent lives. Staff helped people to stay connected and keep up with social activities and hobbies such as swimming, going to concerts, and bingo, even rearranging someone’s care schedule so they could keep participating in their local community.”
She also said relatives reported that support had improved quality of life and helped people remain living at home. The CQC added that leaders had created an exceptional work culture, invested in staff development and wellbeing, and made changes across the service, including around medicines management and responses to incidents.
Kingsmith Care was approached for comment.
