Archived: Home Helpers Care Limited - 25 The Nursery

Updated 2 September 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 28 July and 1 August 2016 and was announced. We told the service two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because the registered manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that they would be in. The inspection team consisted of one 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.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). The provider had completed and submitted their PIR. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also looked at previous inspection reports and notifications we had received. Services tell us about important events relating to the care they provide using a notification. This enabled us to ensure we were addressing potential areas of concern. We also contacted the local authority commissioners of services to obtain their views on the service.

We spoke with 16 people and one relative. We also spoke with eight members of staff including the Registered Manager and the owner. We looked at six people’s care records, four staff records including training and recruitment information and at a range of records about how the service was managed.

Updated 2 September 2016

We inspected Home Helpers Care Limited - 25 The Nursery on 28 July and 1 August 2016. Home Helpers Care Limited is a domiciliary care service and provides support and personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of this inspection 84 people were supported by the service.

There was a registered manager in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The management regularly audited the quality of service delivered. There was an open and positive culture at the service and clear lines of accountability. Staff commented they enjoyed their jobs and the support they received.

People told us they felt safe and the support they received was of good quality. Care staff knew how to assist people to maintain their safety. Care staff understood their responsibility to protect people from harm and abuse and they knew how to report any safeguarding concerns appropriately.

The provider had systems in place for the safe administration of medicines. People were supported to receive their medicine when needed. People were supported to maintain good health and were assisted to access health services when required.

People had individual risk assessments in place, as well as risk assessments of their home environments. Plans were in place to ensure risks were managed. There were sufficient care staff to meet people’s needs and people received their support as planned.

People were cared for by staff that were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities and had the relevant skills and experience. Staff received training required for their roles and they told us they were well supported by the management team. Records relating to the recruitment of new staff showed relevant checks had been completed before they worked unsupervised with people.

Staff followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). This protected the rights of people who may not be able to make important decisions themselves. People benefitted from staff that understood and implemented the principles of the Act. People told us they were involved in making decisions about support they received.

People told us that care staff were kind and helpful. Staff respected people’s dignity and privacy. People’s confidentiality was respected and their independence was promoted.

People’s needs were assessed prior to commencement of the service to ensure these could be met. People’s care records contained details of people’s personal preferences, likes, dislikes and health needs. People’s care plans were up to date and reflected people’s current needs.

The registered manager sought people’s opinions using satisfaction surveys and spot checks. People told us they knew how to raise concerns and they were confident any issues would be promptly addressed.