Updated 7 April 2025
Candlelight 747 is a domiciliary care service registered to provide personal care to individuals living in their own homes. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. Personal care is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do provide personal care, we also consider any wider social care provided during our assessment.
This is the first inspection of a newly registered service. The assessment started on 10 April 2025 and concluded on 13 May 2025.
We gathered information from relatives of people who used the service, the registered manager, and staff who worked for the service. We looked at all 34 quality statements.
Care records were not always person-centred, some documents were contradictory. Medicines records were not always up to date, however, in both cases Candlelight 747 staff were not the main medicine administrator for the person. Recruitment records were not always in line with best practice guidance. Risk assessments did not always identify the risks to people or demonstrate actions had been taken to keep people safe. The provider’s quality assurance audits had not identified the issues we found. The failure to maintain accurate records is a breach of regulation 17 (good governance). We found no evidence of negative impact on people using the service however, there was a risk of potential harm.
We found people received reliable, timely and effective support from staff who understood their needs. Staff built up a good rapport with people and other staff (from different care services) who worked with them.
Staff arrived on time and contingency plans were in place to ensure unexpected absence was covered. Staff shadowed family to learn about people’s needs and communication preferences.
The registered manager and provider had oversight of the service. Audits were taking place, but they were not always effective. Staff said the registered manager and office staff were approachable and supportive.