Background to this inspection
Updated
16 January 2020
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 homes.
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
This inspection was announced. We gave the service notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that there would be staff in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included notifications. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with six members of staff, which included the registered manager, the quality assurance manager/administrator, a senior carer and three care staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, and policies and procedures were also reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from management to validate evidence found which included the updated staff training information. We received this information.
Updated
16 January 2020
About the service
Sharon Brinkman care services Ltd is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were 15 people using the service.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People using the service were protected from the risk of abuse as staff understood their roles in keeping people safe. Risks to people had been assessed and reviewed and their care plans provided staff with guidance to meet their needs safely. People were supported with administration of their medicines when required.
People were supported by staff who had received appropriate training for their roles and who knew people well. Staff recruitment process ensured staff were suitable and safe to work with vulnerable people.
There were enough staff to provide consistent care for people. Staff received further training to increase their knowledge and awareness about specific health conditions that affect people. People were supported to maintain their health, and had received health care services when needed. Where needed, staff prepared food and drink to meet people’s dietary needs and requirements.
Staff followed procedures to protect people from infection. They were supervised, and their practice was checked to ensure they provided care that people needed.
People made decisions about their care which were documented in their care plans and respected by staff. 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.
People were supported by kind and caring staff who they trusted and had built positive relationships with. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was promoted. Their communication needs were met and understood by staff.
People received person centred care. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and their individual preferences. Care plans were personalised and took account of people’s lifestyle interests. Staff worked flexibly to enable people to maintain their independence and contact with family and the wider community. People had the opportunity to express their wishes in relation to end of life care.
Everyone we spoke with felt the registered manager was approachable and responsive. There were systems and processes in place to assess and monitor the quality of care provided. The registered manager was aware of their legal responsibilities and notified the Care Quality Commission as required. The views of people, relatives and staff were sought. The registered manager shared information and learning with the staff team when things went wrong. People were confident complaints would be listened to and acted on.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 27 May 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. The overall rating for the service has remained good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Sharon Brinkman care services ltd on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.