SCS Homecare Ltd

Updated 1 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.

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 houses and flats.

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 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 29 July 2022 and ended on 5 August 2022 . We visited the location’s office on 2 August 2022.

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 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 two people who used the service and four relatives. We spoke with four members of staff, including the registered manager, the nominated individual and two care staff. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We contacted two health and social care professionals to ascertain their opinions of the service.

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

Updated 1 September 2022

About the service

SCS Homecare Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care. The service provides support to people who live in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were six people using the service.

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. All six people currently using the service received personal care.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

There were appropriate systems in place to help safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Care staff had completed safeguarding training and were confident around how to record and report any concerns. Individual and environmental risks were assessed and managed appropriately at the service. Health and safety certificates were in place as required. The service ensured they complied with all infection control and prevention requirements.

Staff were recruited safely and there were sufficient staff in place to meet people’s needs. There was a thorough induction for new staff and training was on-going. Medicines were managed safely and regular checks were completed to ensure any issues were identified and addressed.

People’s needs were assessed prior to the service providing care and support. Care plans included all relevant health and personal information. People were supported, where required, with their nutritional and hydration needs. Referrals were made to other professionals and agencies as required.

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.

People said they were well treated and supported. Care was planned in a person-centred way. People and their relatives where appropriate, were involved in discussions around care and support. People’s privacy was respected and independence encouraged.

The service engaged well with people who used the service and their relatives. Staff we spoke with described good support from the management. A number of audits and checks, where issues were identified and addressed informed continuous learning and improvement.

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 17 June 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to look at all five domains and to rate the service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.