Background to this inspection
Updated
7 October 2017
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This announced comprehensive inspection took place on 03 August 2017 and telephone calls to people who used the service and staff were made on 04, 08 and 09 August 2017.
The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service; we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available.
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We checked the information we held about this service and the service provider. We also contacted the Local Authority. No concerns had been raised.
We spoke with four people who used the service and one relatives of a person who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager, a team leader and two care assistants.
We reviewed five people’s care records, eight medication records, five staff files and records relating to the management of the service, such as quality audits.
Updated
7 October 2017
This inspection took place on 03 August 2017 and telephone calls to people who used the service and staff were made on 04, 08 and 09 August 2017. The inspection was announced.
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Dial House Homecare is a domiciliary care service that is registered to provide personal care. This domiciliary care service enables people to continue living independently in their own home. Care is also provided at an independent living scheme, where carers are based on site during the day to provide extra care. At the time of the inspection 63 people were using the service.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and knew how to report them, protecting people from avoidable harm and abuse.
People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be whilst being kept safe.
There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, on duty to support people with their needs.
Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service to ensure staff employed were suitable for the role.
Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service.
Staff received a comprehensive induction process and on-going training. They were well supported by the registered manager and had regular one to one time for supervisions and annual appraisals.
Staff had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people.
Staff gained consent before supporting people and had signed consent within their care plans. People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff assisted when required.
People were supported to access a variety of additional health professionals when required. Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People and relatives, where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care and support. People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.
A complaints procedure was in place and accessible to all. People knew how to complain. Effective quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.