MJ Homecare North Somerset

Updated 29 July 2023

The inspection

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was conducted by 1 inspector and 1 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 can also provide personal care and support to people living in 'supported living' accommodation so they can live as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 04 July 2023 and ended on 06 July 2023. We visited the location’s office on 04 July 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 3 people using the service and 4 relatives. We spoke with 8 staff members which included the registered manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed 3 people’s care records and 3 medicines records. We reviewed 3 staff recruitment records. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies, procedures and audits.

Updated 29 July 2023

About the service

MJ Homecare North Somerset provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes. The service can also provide care and support to people living in 'supported living' accommodation. It provides a service to older people and younger adults who may have a range of needs arising from dementia, learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, mental health, physical disability and sensory impairment.

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.

At the time of the inspection, the service was supporting 13 people with their personal care needs who all lived in their own homes.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

Right Support

Staff received an induction, regular supervision and training. The service supported people with their healthcare and nutrition needs. The service supported people to have choice, control and independence. Risks to people were identified and managed. People received their medicines as prescribed. Staff were recruited safely.

Right Care

People were receiving person centred care. People were involved in planning and reviewing their care and support. People were supported to maintain their independence. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it. Staff communicated with people in their preferred way. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Right culture

Systems were in place to assesses and monitor the quality of the service. Complaints were investigated and actions taken. Staff spoke positively about working for the service. Lessons were learnt when things had gone wrong. The provider was open and honest. People received care and support at the agreed times from caring staff.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 07 June 2022 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.