Updated 29 December 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and two Experts by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 9 November 2022 and ended on 11 November 2022. We visited the office location on 9 November 2022 and spoke with people and their relatives on 10 November 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with 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 any improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
During the inspection we reviewed nine people’s care records and risk assessments. We looked at medicine administration records, four staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. We also reviewed other records relating to the management of the service, including audits. We spoke with the registered manager, clinical compliance & training director and nine members of care staff. We spoke with 11 people and ten relatives of people who were receiving personal care and support.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed information forwarded to us including training data, survey results and quality assurance documents including action plans.