22 February 2023
During a routine inspection
At the time of our inspection there were 18 people using the service. Not everyone who used the service received 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.
Care records were held electronically with required risk assessments and support plans to provide people with safe care. People received their care and support as assessed. However, system checks had failed to ensure associated electronic records were always completed and where there were omissions that these were looked into without delay. The provider discussed actions to update this information during the inspection.
Staff had access to a range of policies to support them in their roles. However, these required updating. For example, to reflect current provider contacts, including the correct Local Authority for safeguarding referrals. The provider responded to our concerns and policies were updated during the inspection.
People told us they felt safe with the staff who supported them. Staff were clear on types of abuse to look out for and how to raise their concerns when required. Processes ensured any incidents were routinely investigated with outcomes and actions implemented to help keep people safe.
People received their medicines safely as prescribed. Good administration processes were completed by suitably trained staff and record keeping followed best practice.
Staff were safely recruited into their roles. Staff received appropriate induction, training, supervision and appraisal as necessary to enable and support them to carry out the duties they were employed to perform. Where there were omissions with the completion of refresher training the provider was aware with planned actions to quickly implement the required improvements.
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 were involved in planning their care and support. Care was delivered following a robust assessment of needs to ensure people’s wishes, preferences and any personal characteristics were recorded and supported.
Staff had good access to personal protective equipment to manage the risks associated with the spread of infection including COVID-19 and adhered to government guidance to protect people.
The culture of the service was open and empowered individuals to express their views and be in control of their lives with the support of staff. People told us they felt confident to approach staff and management, and that their suggestions would be listened to.
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 10 December 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.
Recommendations
We have made recommendations for the provider to review and improve their policy and practice for the oversight of comprehensive electronic record keeping and the timely updating of policies and procedures used by staff as a point of reference. We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.