Background to this inspection
Updated
6 September 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This was an announced inspection which took place on 9 August 2018. The inspection team consisted of one inspector and an expert by experience. The expert by experience made telephone calls to people who used the service and relatives on 10 August 2018. An expert-by-experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
We gave the provider 48 hours' notice of our intention to undertake an inspection. This was because the provider delivers a domiciliary care service to people in their own homes, and we needed to be sure that someone would be available in the office.
Before the inspection visit, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information in the planning of our inspection.
Before the inspection visit, we reviewed the information we held about the service, including any statutory notifications received from the provider. A statutory notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law. We also contacted the local authority and local Healthwatch for their views on the service.
During our inspection visit, we spoke with two people who used the service, and two relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, the care manager, senior carer and three carers. [The provider refers to their staff as “Carers.”]. We looked at five care records, three staff recruitment files, complaints and compliment records and the provider’s quality assurance records.
Updated
6 September 2018
This inspection was carried out on 9 August 2018 We gave the manager 48 hours’ notice of our intention to undertake an inspection. This was because the organisation provides a domiciliary care service to people in their own homes and we needed to be sure that someone would be available at the office. The provider registered this service with us to provide personal care and support for people within their own homes. At the time of our inspection eight people received care and support from this service.
Rating at last inspection
At our last inspection on 17 June 2015 we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good.
People were protected from the risk of potential abuse and told us they felt safe in the company of carers because of the way carers supported and cared for them. Plans to manage people’s individual risks were assessed, and identified in a way which promoted people’s safety. There were enough carers employed to care for people and chat to them so they did not become isolated. Carers supported some people to take their medicines. Some people had requested carers just reminded them to take their medicines and this had been done.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and carers support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
Carers received training and ongoing support to help them work safely and effectively.
People were supported by carers to maintain their health and access professional medical advice
Carers treated people with kindness and took the time to get to know them well as individuals. People were encouraged and supported to express their views about the care and support provided.
People's rights to privacy, dignity and independence were consistently promoted by carers.
People received care and support designed around their individual needs and requirements.
People's care plans were detailed for each individual’s preferences so carers could deliver care in the way they preferred.
The registered manager promoted an open and inclusive culture within the service. Carers felt valued and well-supported in their work.
The management team carried out audits and checks to monitor and improve the quality of the service people received.