Archived: Bailey Care Services

Updated 25 November 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider was 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 27 October 2017 and was an announced inspection. We told the manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because the manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that someone would be in. This inspection was conducted by one inspector.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at previous inspection reports and notifications received from the provider. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. This ensured we were addressing any areas of concern.

We spoke with seven people, three relatives, seven care staff, two coordinators, the office coordinator, the administrator and operations manager. We looked at seven people’s care records, five staff files and medicine administration records. We also looked at a range of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 25 November 2017

We undertook an announced inspection of Bailey Care Services Domiciliary Care Agency (DCA) on 27 October 2017. We told the operations manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. Bailey Care Services Domiciliary Care Agency (DCA) provides personal care services to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 30 people were receiving a personal care service.

At the previous inspection in December 2016 we found two breeches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) regulations 2014. In that the provider had not taken the necessary action to ensure that medicines were managed safely. People's Medicine administration records (MAR) did not always contain accurate information relating to the administration of medicines. Not everyone had up to date or accurate risk assessments in place. We also found that people were not always supported in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

At this inspection we found that the registered manager had made significant improvements to address the areas of concern and bring the service up to the required standards. Where people needed support with taking their medicines we saw that medicine records were accurately maintained and up to date. People received their medicines as prescribed.

People's care records contained up to date and accurate information and guidance for staff to mitigate the risks associated with people's care.

The manager was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected. People were supported in line with the principles of the MCA.

The service did not have a registered manager. 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. However, the operations manager had submitted an application to become the registered manager. On the day of our inspection the operations manager was undergoing an interview with our registration team.

People told us they were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities to identify and report all concerns in relation to safeguarding people from abuse. Staff had completed safeguarding training. The service had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.

People were supported by staff who had the skills and training to carry out their roles and responsibilities. People benefitted from caring relationships with staff who had a caring approach to their work.

Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the leadership team. Staff had access to effective supervision. Staff and the operations manager shared the visions and values of the service.

The provider conducted regular audits to monitor the quality of the service. These were carried out by the operations manager. Audits covered all aspects of care and were used to improve the quality of the service.

The service sought people's views and opinions. People and their relatives told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern.

People were supported to maintain good health. Various health professionals were involved in assessing, planning and evaluating people's care and treatment.