Background to this inspection
Updated
1 April 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about COVID-19 practices both in the office and the community and the understanding and management of these risks. We also had concerns about manual handling training, staff inductions and the culture of the management.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by three inspectors 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.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that the provider is legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 04 March 2021 and ended on 19 March 2021. We visited the office location on 04 March 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the service was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority, Healthwatch England and professionals who work with the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people who used the service and seven relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with fourteen members of staff including the nominated individual who was also acting as manager, senior care workers, care workers and care co-ordinators.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records. We looked at four staff files in relation to staff induction, training, competency assessments and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with one professional who regularly visits the service.
Updated
1 April 2021
About the service
APT Care Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to a total of 78 people at the time of inspection. The service supports people who require short term hospital discharge care packages of between 10-42 days as well as people receiving longer term care packages.
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
People told us they received good care that was personalised to their needs and provided by staff who knew them well. They told us they felt safe because they were supported with a regular team of staff who they trusted. Staff understood how to keep people safe and were trained in all aspects of care to meet people’s needs. Staff were confident to report any concerns.
People received their medicines correctly and on time and had support with meals and drinks where they required this. People’s care records were up to date and detailed their needs, preferences, interests, personal history and the people who were important to them.
People told us they were supported to access various health and social care professionals when they needed it. They also told us the staff were flexible to meet their needs for hospital visits. Most people told us the care visits were on time and there had not been any missed care visits.
Staff supported people to assess their needs and then regularly reviewed their care needs and sought their feedback through other methods such as surveys and telephone calls. People knew how to complain and were confident to do so should they have any concerns.
People told us they thought the service was now well managed as communication was good and the staff knew what they were doing. People thought the care had improved compared to previous months.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update:
The last rating for this service was inadequate (published 08 August 2019) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
This service has been in Special Measures since 08 August 2019. During this inspection the provider demonstrated that improvements have been made. The service is no longer rated as inadequate overall or in any of the key questions. Therefore, this service is no longer in Special Measures.
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.