D & H Community Support Ltd

Updated 1 August 2019

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 Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

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 and ended on 19 June 2019. We visited the office location on 19 June 2019.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority, and other professionals who work with the service and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including, the registered manager, two care workers and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and one care staff members records. We looked at records in relation to training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 1 August 2019

D&H Community Support Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to older and younger adults, living with physical disability, mental health conditions, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder, dementia and sensory impairment. People are supported in their own houses. At the time of our inspection there were three people using the service.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

We have made a recommendation about the provider seeking further guidance on supporting people with their end of life preferences.

People were safe. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed regularly to ensure safe care continued. Staff were trained and could recognise signs of abuse and knew how to report it. Safe recruitment procedures meant that suitable staff were employed. Medicines were managed safely. Staff used Protective personal equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of infection this included disposable gloves, and aprons.

People’s choices, lifestyle, religion and culture as well as their personal and health care needs were all included in the care planning process. People were supported with accessing health care services when they needed, and the service worked in partnership with healthcare professionals. A training program meant people could be assured staff had the knowledge, skills and confidence to do their job.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible to gain new skills and become more independent.

People’s needs were met by good planning and coordination of care. Pre-admission assessments meant the service was confident it had the right staff available to support people prior to care starting. Regular reviews of care meant the service could respond to changes in people’s needs promptly. A complaints procedure was in place and was given to people in a format that met their communication needs.

The provider, management team and staff had developed an open and honest culture, people and staff found them friendly and supportive. The registered manager had good oversight of the service from the quality monitoring processes. Learning and skill development was actively encouraged, and staff felt confident in their role. The registered manager worked in partnership with other professionals to strive for good outcomes for people who used the service.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 19 August 2016)

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

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