Background to this inspection
Updated
17 February 2023
The inspection
We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.
Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We sought feedback from professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
This performance review and assessment was carried out without a visit to the location’s office. We used telephone calls to enable us to engage with people using the service and staff, and electronic file sharing to enable us to review documentation.
Inspection activity started on 17 January 2023 and ended on 1 February 2023.
We spoke with two people and three relatives of people who used the service. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, nominated individual and care staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
Updated
17 February 2023
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. 'Right support, right care, right culture' is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
Greenwood Homecare Cambridge is a domiciliary homecare agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. The service provides support to younger people, older people, people living with dementia, people living with a physical disability and people living with mental health needs.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection there were nine people who were being supported with the regulated activity of personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right Support:
We received positive comments from people and their relatives about the care which they received. These comments included, “I think the care works tremendously well. It is more than adequate and without the staff being around I wouldn’t feel happy or safe.”
Staff had received training which enabled them to provide safe and appropriate care. Where required, additional specialist training had been provided which enhanced staff confidence and knowledge.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Right Care:
People had been involved in the care planning and risk assessment process. Risk assessments had been completed and provided guidance for staff to follow to mitigate risk of harm or injury. Information was regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remained accurate and reflective of people’s needs. Comments received included, “We were involved in the pre-assessment process. In addition, we are always involved in reviews and are able to engage in discussions regarding making changes to care plans.”
People, their relatives and staff told us they found the staffing levels to be adequate. People felt they received care from a consistent staff team who they knew well. People told us the staff were punctual and they received care when they required it.
Right Culture:
A quality assurance system was in place which supported driving improvement and changes to the service.
People and their relatives spoke positively of the registered manager and staff. Comments included, “The [staff] have been a lifeline to me.” And, “The [staff] are the reason that [family member] remains safe at home.”
Staff felt supported in their role. Several staff told us they felt valued by the registered manager who always thanked them for their work.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 09 September 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.