Archived: Meridian Business Support Bristol Branch

Updated 25 November 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, 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 25 October and was announced. The provider was given short notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be available to support the inspection. At the time of our visit there was one person using the service. The service does not intend to expand or increase numbers.

Before our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service this included statutory notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us.

One inspector carried out the inspection. There was one person using the service, who due to their complex needs was not able to talk to us .We spoke with the person’s relative. We also spoke with the member of staff who provided the care and support to the person as well as to a senior clinical manager.

We looked at one person’s records that related to the care and support they received. We also looked at records to do with the management of the service. These included staff training and supervision records and other records relevant to the quality monitoring of the service.

Updated 25 November 2016

The inspection took place on 25 October 2016 and was announced. We gave the service short notice of the inspection. This was to ensure that staff and people who used the service were available to meet with us. It was also so that staff could be available. This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered with us.

Meridian Business Support Bristol Branch is registered to provide a domiciliary care service to adults in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there was one person using the service. The provider does not intend to expand the service.

There was a registered manager for 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 member of staff who supported the person who used the service was not being formally supervised in their work .This meant the member of staff was not being given opportunity to discuss their performance and development needs. This in turn could also impact on the overall quality of the service and care provided.

The registered manager had not kept their training up to date in subjects relevant to the needs of the person who used the service .This could impact in a negative way on how the service was being managed. This was because there was a risk that the registered manager may not fully understand the needs of the person being supported by the service.

A clinical manager had been appointed to assist in the running of the service. They had been in the role since May 2016. They had carried out two clinical care audits since they started working for the provider, to make sure clinical care was delivered in a way that met the person needs.

The member of staff knew what abuse was and they were aware of how to report any concerns if they had them. There were systems in place to minimise risks to the person and to keep them safe from abuse.

The person’s relative spoke highly about the staff member and the way they supported them with their family members needs in their home. They said they always felt safe in their company. The relative said that the staff member was very kind and caring in their manner. They also said they were able to engage with the staff member in a positive and warm way which they valued.

The person’s relative had positive views of the care and support they received from the staff. They told us the staff member was, “Absolutely brilliant”, when describing how they supported their family member.

The person’s relative told us that care was planned in a way that was flexible for them. Visit times were planned when possible at the convenience of the person and family. Care records explained in an informative way what actions to take to assist the person effectively so that their care needs were met.

The staff member was able to take part in a variety of training and learning opportunities. This meant the member of staff was properly trained to meet the needs of the person they supported.

The member of staff had an understanding of the visions and values of the organisation and said they followed them in their work. The values included a making sure that the person who used the service was always provided with personalised care and treated with respect at all times.