Background to this inspection
Updated
22 February 2023
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 1 inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.
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 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 8 February 2023 and ended on 14 February 2023. We visited the location’s office on 9 February 2023.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 3 family members about their relatives experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager. We spoke with 3 care staff by telephone.
We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people’s care records. We looked at 2 staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality monitoring, minutes of meetings, policies and procedures, and staff the staff training and supervision matrix.
Updated
22 February 2023
About the service
Life4ever H.C.S. Ltd. is a domiciliary care service providing the regulated activity personal care, which is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating, in people’s own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 3 people receiving personal care using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Systems and processes were in place to support people’s safety. People’s needs, including their safety were assessed and monitored. People were supported by staff who had undergone a robust recruitment process. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Family members spoke of the reliability and good time keeping of the service. People received the support they required with their medicines. Staff worked consistently within the providers policy and procedure for infection prevention and control.
People’s needs were assessed and kept under review and reflected all aspects of people’s care. People and family members contributed to the assessment process. People’s health care needs were documented, and staff liaised with family members regarding people’s health and wellbeing where required. Staff had the required experience, knowledge and training to meet people’s needs, which was kept under review through ongoing assessment of their knowledge and competence.
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.
Family members spoke of the kind and caring approach of staff. Family members said they were involved in decisions about their relative’s care and their views were respected by staff. New staff were introduced to people and their family members by the registered manager before they started providing support and care.
People and their family members were involved in the development and reviewing of their care and support package, and the care packages were tailored to reflect people’s preferences. Family members were aware of how to raise a concern. Family members told us they had no concerns about the service.
The providers systems and processes monitored the quality of the service being provided. People’s views and that of family members were sought through surveys, which were analysed and used to identify where improvements were needed. A range of audits were undertaken to monitor the quality of care provided. Staff were supported through ongoing monitoring and good communication, which included regular staff meetings to support the delivery of good quality care. The registered manager had undertaken training to support staff’s development and attain certifications in care.
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 4 February 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.