Background to this inspection
Updated
2 May 2018
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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This announced comprehensive inspection took place on 18 January 2018. Telephone calls to people who used the service and staff were made on 29 January and 9 February 2018.
The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service; we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available.
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (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 checked the information we held about this service and the service provider. No concerns had been raised.
We spoke with three people who used the service and one relative of a person who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, the lead co coordinator, the administrator, and three care staff.
We reviewed four people’s care records, one medication record and records relating to the management of the service, such as quality audits.
Updated
2 May 2018
Central Bedfordshire Domiciliary Care Service South is one of two domiciliary care services run by Central Bedfordshire Council to provide short term domiciliary care to people requiring support for a period of up to about six weeks for rehabilitation. At the time of our inspection 19 people were using the service.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
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At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
People using the service felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs of abuse and felt confident in how to report them.
People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be in a safe manner. Staff knew how to manage risks to promote people’s safety, and balanced these against people’s rights to take risks and remain independent.
There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, to support people with their needs. Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the provider. Staff were not offered employment until satisfactory checks had been completed. Staff received an induction and on-going training. They had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care based on current practice when supporting people. They were supported with regular supervisions.
Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service.
People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff were knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people. Staff gained consent before supporting people.
At the time of the inspection, some people required minimal support to eat well.
Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service well. People were involved in the planning of their care and support.
People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.
People knew how to complain. There was a complaints procedure in place and accessible to all.
Quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Further information is in the detailed findings below