Background to this inspection
Updated
3 April 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 undertaken 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
This inspection was announced. 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 registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about this service including notifications the provider is required by law to send us about events and incidents involving people. 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 to the registered manager and the care services manager. We also spoke to 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 the care records of four people using the service, medicines administration record (MAR) for four people using the service, two carers files and other records relating to staff training, supervision and to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We spoke to three people using the service, two people’s relatives and two carers. We asked them for their feedback about their experiences of the service.
Updated
3 April 2020
About the service
Domus Extra Care Ltd is a domiciliary care agency that specialises in providing live-in care services. At this service, the provider contracts staff (known as carers) to live with people in their homes, providing personal care and support as required. The Care Quality Commission (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. At the time of our inspection there were 15 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe using this service. Carers were trained to safeguard people from abuse and knew how to minimise identified risks to people’s safety. They followed current practice when providing personal care and when preparing and handling food which reduced hygiene risks
There were enough carers available to meet people’s needs. Managers carried out recruitment checks to make sure carers were suitable and fit to support people. Carers were provided with relevant training to help them meet people’s needs. Managers supported them to review and improve their working practices so that people experienced high quality care and support.
People received the care and support that had been planned and agreed with them. People’s preferences for how this was provided were respected and carers delivered this in line with their wishes. People were encouraged to pursue their interests and hobbies. Carers knew people well and understood how their needs should be met. Managers checked with people at regular intervals, the care and support provided was meeting their needs.
Carers were kind and caring. They supported people in a dignified, respectful way which maintained their privacy and independence. People had a choice about who they received care and support from. Managers made sure wherever possible this was from the same carers, so this was provided in a consistent way. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were encouraged to stay healthy and keep well. They were supported to eat and drink enough to meet their needs and to take their prescribed medicines. Carers understood people’s healthcare needs and how they should be supported with these in a timely and appropriate way. They worked well with other healthcare professionals involved in people’s care. When people became unwell, help was sought for them promptly.
People and their relatives had no concerns about the care and support provided. They knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. Managers monitored and reviewed the quality of service that people experienced. They undertook regular checks on carers to make sure they were carrying out their duties appropriately and to a high standard. Managers sought people’s views about how the service could improve.
There were arrangements in place to make sure any accidents, incidents and complaints would be fully investigated and people would be involved and informed of the outcome.
Managers understood their responsibility for meeting regulatory requirements. They worked proactively with other agencies and acted on their recommendations to design the care and support provided to people.
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 8 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This inspection was planned based on the previous rating of ‘Good’.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor the service to ensure that people receive safe, compassionate, high quality care. Further inspections will be planned in line with our inspection schedule or in response to concerns.