Background to this inspection
Updated
5 March 2020
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type:
Alliance Living Care is a domiciliary care service that provides personal care to people in their own homes.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provide
Notice of inspection:
The inspection was announced we gave the service 96 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small, and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
Inspection site visit activity started on 27 January 2020 and ended on 28 January 2020. We visited two people in their homes on these dates and gained views from one relative. We also visited the office location on the 27 and the 28 January 2020.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about. Before this inspection we did not ask the provider to send us information in the provider information return (PIR) prior to our inspection. A PIR gives us key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
To understand people’s experiences we visited two people and a relative in their own homes. Following the inspection, we gained views from three other relatives. We also spoke with five members of staff, including the registered manager, one care co-ordinator and the contracts manager. We reviewed three people’s care and support records and two staff files. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service such as incident and accident records, questionnaires, recruitment and training records, policies, audits and complaints.
Updated
5 March 2020
About the service: Alliance Living Care is registered to provide personal care. At the time of the inspection 14 people were receiving care from the service.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. 13 people were receiving domestic support. 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:
People were happy with their care. People were supported by staff who received training in safeguarding adults and who had checks prior to starting their employment. People received their medicines safely and when required. Risk assessments confirmed people’s support needs and any identified risks including the home environment. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of infection control procedures and how to use personal protective equipment safely.
Staff received training and supervision, and all were happy with the support and training provided. Staff supported people with any changes to their health and when required support to attend a medical review. People’s care plans contained important information relating to their mental capacity.
Staff had a good understanding of equality and diversity and people’s care plans reflected their individual wishes. People were given choice and encouraged to undertake daily tasks where able to promote their independence. Staff knew people well and people were supported by staff who they were familiar with. People’s views were sought so that improvements could be made to the care they received. Staff attended team meetings, and all felt happy working for the provider. Quality assurance systems were in place that monitored any areas for improvement. The registered manager and senior managers reviewed these regularly.
Rating at last inspection: This is the first inspection. At this inspection we found the rating for the service was Good.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the registration for the service.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive. We will visit the service in line with our inspection schedule, or sooner if required.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk