Background to this inspection
Updated
6 October 2021
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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of 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.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 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.
Inspection activity started on 29 July 2021 and ended on 19 August 2021. We visited the office location on 29 July 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We also used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the registered manager and a member of staff. We reviewed a range of records relating to the management of the service, including two people’s care records, three staff files, training and quality assurance records.
After the inspection
The provider sent us additional information, as requested. We had contact with two relatives and another member of staff.
Updated
6 October 2021
About the service
Maplewood Independent Living Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of inspection, the service was providing personal care to three people. Most of the people who used the service did not receive 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
Feedback about the service was positive. The registered manager promoted a culture where people were at the centre of the service.
The registered manager had developed well-ordered and effective systems to enable them to develop and grow the service safely. There were regular checks to monitor the quality and safety each person received. The registered manager took prompt action when concerns were raised.
The registered manager carried out risk and needs assessments with people and their representatives. They had developed practical and attractive care plans which provided staff with useful information to enable them to support people in a person-centred manner.
Safeguarding practices protected people from the risk of abuse. Staff supported people to take their medicines safely, and as prescribed.
There were enough safely recruited staff to support people, in line with their needs and preferences. The registered manager had purchased a new electronic system to support them to manage staffing and enable them to grow the service in a sustained and safe manner. Staff were well supported and trained. Many had a wealth of experience in caring.
Staff supported people to eat and drink in line with their preferences. The registered manager and care staff focused on developing good local contacts and networks and working with other professionals to meet people’s needs in a holistic way. The registered manager had worked effectively to reduce the risk of infection from COVID-19.
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.
Staff were compassionate and treated people with dignity. The registered manager used photographs and accessible language exceptionally to ensure information was presented in a way people understood. Care was personalised and centred on people’s preferences.
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 13 February 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection of a newly registered service.
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.