2 February 2017
During a routine inspection
The inspection took place on 02 February 2017 and was announced. The provider was given notice because the location was a domiciliary care agency (DCA) and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. After the office visit we followed this up with phone calls on the 10 February and 15 February 2017 to people and relatives to ask them about the service.
DG Care Limited provides a personal care service to people living in their own home. On the day of the inspection three people were supported by the agency with their personal care needs. However two of these people where currently in hospital and not receiving visits.
The service had a registered manager in post. The registered manager was also the joint registered provider. 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. We were supported by both joint registered providers during this inspection.
One person said; “[…] (named staff member) is very helpful.” A relative said; “They are all very kind.”
People’s care records contained information that described what staff needed to do to provide individual care and support. When required, relatives and health and social care professionals were involved in identifying people’s needs. People’s preferences, life histories, disabilities and abilities were taken into account, communicated and well documented.
People’s risks were monitored and managed well. The agency had policies and procedures in place for staff to support them to help protect people and keep them safe.
People were kept safe and protected from discrimination. Staff had completed safeguarding from abuse training. A clear policy was available for staff on how to report any concerns and described what action they would need to take to protect people against harm.
Though no one required assistance at the time of the inspection, the registered manager was aware of how to support people to maintain a varied and healthy, balanced diet.
No one required assistance with medicines at the time of the inspection. However the registered manager and registered provider had a clear policy in place for staff to follow and staff had completed medicine administration training.
The service had only recently started to provide personal care to people. Therefore no quality assurance survey had yet been completed. However the registered manager and registered provider had a process ready for when people had been receiving care for a year. Quality assurance surveys would help drive continuous improvements in the way the service was provided. This would help ensure positive progress was made in the delivery of care and support provided by the service.
The service sought verbal feedback from people and encouraged people to share their concerns and complaints. Though no complaints had been received the registered manager and registered provider confirmed they would investigate any complaints or concerns thoroughly and use the outcome as an opportunity for learning to take place.
The registered manager and registered provider had completed training in the Mental Capacity Act. They understood the requirements of the act, and knew how to put this into practice should the need arise.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were trained and had the correct skills to carry out their roles effectively. The service followed safe recruitment practices to help ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.