We carried out a review of the data available to us about H & M Care Agency Ltd on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about H & M Care Agency Ltd, you can give feedback on this service.
H&M Care Agency Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. The majority of people were funded by the local authority. At the time of our inspection seven people were using the service. 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider had systems in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and staff knew how to respond to possible safeguarding concerns. Risk assessments were in place. The provider followed safe recruitment procedures and medicines were managed safely. Staff followed appropriate infection prevention and control practices.
Staff were supported to provide effective care through induction, training and supervision. The provider assessed people's needs to ensure these could be met. 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.
Care plans provided details of people’s preference for care and support and their current interests. There was a complaints procedure in place and the provider knew how to respond to complaints.
The provider had systems in place to monitor, manage and improve service delivery and to improve the care and support provided to people. People, relatives and staff reported the registered manager was available and responsive.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 21 June 2019) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
People’s experience of using this service and our findings:
Relatives told us they were happy with the care that was provided by H&M Care Agency.
Safe recruitment practices were not always followed when recruiting staff.
The service was not always working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which meant that people were not always supported to have their personal views taken into account when decisions about their care was being made.
Support plans did not always provide sufficient details about people’s background therefore staff may not have sufficient information to provide safe care and support.
The provider did not have effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor, manage and improve service delivery and to improve the care and support provided to people.
Staff understood the provider’s safeguarding policies and were familiar with the reporting procedures.
Staff had access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to help prevent the spread of infection.
Staff had access to training which was appropriate to their role. This included safeguarding, health and safety and moving and handling.
The provider had systems for handling complaints and responding to incidents and accidents which they said they would follow when complaints are made or incidents occur.
Relatives told us that people were treated with dignity and respect. They were also positive about the staff and they told us that staff had a caring attitude.
Rating at last inspection: This is the first inspection of the service.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection that was part of our inspection schedule.
Action we told the provider to take: During the inspection we found five breaches of regulations. These were in relation to safe care and treatment, fit and proper staff employed, consent to care, person centred care and good governance. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
For more details please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk