Updated 13 April 2019
The inspection: We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: One inspector carried out this inspection.
Service and service type: The service is a 'domiciliary care agency' providing care to people living in their own homes in the community. Adults, those living with dementia, a learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder, a mental health need or sensory impairment, use the service. Not everyone using Cherish Home Care Limited received regulated activity. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
The service had a manager registered with the CQC. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection: We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection because we wanted to make sure someone would be at the service's office to see us.
Inspection site visit activity started on 19 March 2019 when we visited the office location to see the office staff and review care records, policies and procedures. We spoke with people that used the service, their relatives and staff on 27 March 2019. The inspection ended when we spoke with the registered manager on 2 April 2019.
What we did: Before the inspection, information had been gathered from notifications sent to us. Notifications are used to inform us about certain changes, events or incidents that occur. We received feedback from local authorities that contracted services with Cherish Home Care Limited and reviewed other information from people who made their views known to us. The provider sent us a provider information return. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
During the inspection we spoke with four people, four relatives, four office staff and three care staff. We looked at care files belonging to six people who used the service and recruitment files and training records for three staff. We viewed records and documentation relating to the running and monitoring of the service.
At the end of the inspection we spoke with the registered manager on their return from leave, when we discussed good practice, registration requirements, quality assurance and complaints. We requested further documents, which the registered manager sent to the CQC.