Alcedo Care Chester

Updated 30 September 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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one 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 service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and we wanted to be sure staff and people were available to speak to us.

Inspection activity started on 23 August 2022 and ended on 22 September 2022. We visited the location’s office/service on 23 and 25 August 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since its registration. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals 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 three people that used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager, quality and operations manager, two deputy managers, regional recruitment manager, area recruitment manager, nurse, three support staff including the care ambassador.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 30 September 2022

About the service

Alcedo Care is a nurse led domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes within the areas of Chester, Ellesmere Port, Neston and Wirral. At the time of our inspection 45 people were using the service.

Not everyone who used the service may 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

Recruitment procedures were safe and staffing levels were sufficient to meet the needs of the people using the service. There was a consistent induction programme that included shadowing opportunities. Staff training included e-learning and classroom sessions. People consistently said staff were kind and caring. People’s privacy and dignity was respected.

Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place. People were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff had received training and understood how to keep people safe and who to report to if they had any concerns.

People’s care plans and risk assessments were detailed and reviewed regularly. They reflected people’s individual needs and preferences. People who used the service told us they felt well supported by some regular staff that knew them well. The staff and management team worked closely with health and social care professionals to ensure the best outcomes for people.

Medicines policies and procedures were in place. Staff were trained and regularly had their competency assessed in medicines management. Staff knew how to ensure people received their prescribed medicines on time.

The provider had quality assurance systems in place. These included care plan audits, review of daily records, analysis of accidents and incidents and staff spot checks. This information was were used to drive development and improvements at the service. There was a complaints procedure in place that people and their relatives were aware of. People told us they felt confident to raise any concerns and complaints they had.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.

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 28 April 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.