Background to this inspection
Updated
14 January 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 an inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats and specialist housing.
The service had a two managers currently registered with the Care Quality Commission and there were plans for a further three managers to become registered. 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.
Notice of inspection
The first day of this inspection was unannounced however, the second day was announced. This is because we wanted to visit people in their own homes and we needed to make sure that people agreed to this.
Inspection activity started on 2 December 2019 and ended on 16 December 2019. We visited the office location on 11 December and 16 December 2019. We also visited people in their own homes on 16 December 2019.
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. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people who used the service and six relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with ten members of staff including the regional manager, both registered managers, two managers who were not yet registered, support workers and office staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.
Updated
14 January 2020
About the service
HF Trust - Cheshire DCA is a domiciliary care service providing support to 56 people who have a learning disability and/or autism at the time of the inspection. 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.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported by small, consistent staff teams who knew people well. There had been changes in recent months to the rostering system which had resulted in new staff being recruited. This meant some relatives felt there were not always enough regular staff. Records showed however that the hours people were funded for were being provided, and the management team were committed to ensuring consistent care to people receiving support.
The service was well led. There had been a number of changes in the last year to the management arrangements for the entire service which was commented on by some relatives, however most spoke positively about the new arrangements and staff felt engaged and well supported by an open and honest culture.
Systems were in place to manage risks to people’s health and wellbeing and medicines were managed safely. Staff and the management team worked closely with other professionals and organisations to ensure positive outcomes for people.
People received a caring service and felt supported and valued as individuals. People spoke very positively about staff. They and their relatives told us they were treated with respect and staff upheld their dignity.
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 developing their care plans which were person centred and changes were made as people’s needs changed.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People were supported through technology where appropriate to ensure their communication needs were met and staff supported people to access a wide range of activities which enabled them to pursue their social and leisure interests.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 26 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.