28 & 29 January 2016
During a routine inspection
The inspection was announced and took place on the 28 and 29 January 2016.
Midsummer Care provides personal care and support to people living in a supported living complex and in the community. At the time of our inspection the service was providing care and support to 12 people. The frequency of visits ranged from one visit per week to three visits per day depending on people’s individual needs.
This was the first inspection of Midsummer Care since it was registered in February 2014.
The service has a registered manager. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff had been provided with safeguarding training to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm.
There were risk management plans in place to protect and promote people’s safety.
Staffing numbers were appropriate to keep people safe. There were safe recruitment practices followed to ensure staff were suitable to work with people.
People’s medicines were managed safely, in line with best practice guidelines; and staff had been provided with training in the safe handling of medicines.
People were matched with staff who were aware of their care needs; and staff received the appropriate training and support to enable them to carry out their roles and responsibilities.
People’s consent was sought in line with current legislation and guidance. The service worked in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People were supported by staff to have a balanced diet. If needed, staff supported people to access healthcare services.
People were treated with kindness and compassion by staff. They had established positive and caring relationships with them.
People were able to express their views and to be involved in making decisions in relation to their care and support.
Staff ensured they promoted people’s privacy and dignity.
People received care that met their assessed needs. Their care plans were updated on a regular basis, or as and when their care needs changed.
A copy of the service’s complaints procedure was issued to people when they started to receive care. This ensured that people would be aware of how to raise a complaint if the need arose.
The culture at the service was open and inclusive. The registered manager led by example, which inspired staff to deliver a quality service.
There were quality monitoring systems in place. These were used to good effect and to drive continuous improvements.