7 October 2016
During a routine inspection
We inspected this service on 07 October 2016. The inspection was announced. The provider was given two working days’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be available at the locations office to see us. Homecare Unique Limited is a small domiciliary care agency which provides personal care and support for adults in their own homes, some of whom were receiving care and support at the end of their life. At the time of our inspection they were supporting eight people.
The provider was also the registered manager of the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People received a service that was safe. Staff and the registered manager had received training about protecting people from abuse, and they knew what action to take if they suspected abuse. The safety of staff who were working out in the community had been assessed with systems put into place to reduce the risk to staff. Risks to people’s safety had been assessed and recorded with measures put into place to manage any hazards identified.
People received support and assistance from enough staff to fulfil their expected care packages and meet their assessed needs. Staff had received the training they required to meet people’s needs including any specialist needs. Staff had a clear understanding of their roles and people’s needs. Staff were supported in their role from the registered manager. Recruitment practices were safe and checks were carried out to make sure staff were suitable to work with people who needed care and support.
People using the service were treated with kindness and compassion by staff who understood the importance of protecting people’s privacy. People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff and the registered manager understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and people said they were always asked their consent before any care or support tasks were carried out.
People’s needs had been assessed to identify the care and support they required. Care and support was planned with people and reviewed to make sure people continued to have the support they needed. Detailed guidance was provided to staff within people’s homes about how to provide all areas of the care and support people needed. These were reviewed as and when needed.
People were supported to remain as healthy as possible with the support from staff and the relevant health care professionals. Staff supported people to communicate with the relevant health care professionals.
Systems were in place for monitoring the quality and safety of the service and assessing people’s experiences. These included spot checks, annual questionnaires and observation visits from the registered manager.