Background to this inspection
Updated
22 August 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 was planned to check whether the provider is 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 over three days 8, 10 and 11 August 2017 and was carried out by one inspector. We told the provider 48 hours before our visit that we would be coming to ensure we could access the information we needed. Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that requires them to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications relating to the service. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us.
During and after the inspection we spoke with six people who used the service, two relatives, six staff, the operations manager and the registered manager. We looked at three care plans, three employment files and other relevant documents relating to how the service operated.
Updated
22 August 2017
The office inspection took place on 8, August 2017. On the 10 and 11 August 2017 we contacted people, staff and relatives to obtain feedback about the service they received. This was the first inspection since the service was registered on 25 July 2016. Alina Homecare Hemel Hempstead is a domiciliary care service that provides care and support to people in their own homes. They also provide a supported living service. At the time of our inspection, Alina Homecare were providing support to 76 people.
There was a manager in post who had registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Potential risks to people’s health and well-being were identified by staff and they knew how to manage these effectively and protect people from harm. Risk assessments were completed to keep people safe.
People told us that they were involved with their care and staff always asked for their consent when providing care.
People and their relatives told us that their family members were kept safe and well cared for when they were being supported by the service. Staff had received training in how to safeguard people from potential abuse and knew how to identify the risks associated with abuse.
Recruitment processes were robust and ensured staff employed to deliver care and support for people were of a good character and suitable to meet people`s needs safely. There were sufficient numbers of staff available to meet people’s individual needs.
People told us staff supported them to take their medicines. Staff were trained in safe administration of medicine practices and had their competency regularly observed.
People were very complimentary about the abilities and experience of the staff that provided care and support. Staff received training and regular updates to ensure they were up to date with their knowledge and best practice guidance.
Staff supported people to stay safe in their homes, and people were supported to maintain their health and well- being. Staff developed appropriate positive and caring relationships with the people they supported and their families, and feedback from people was consistently positive about the service they received.
People and their relatives where appropriate were involved in the initial planning of the care and support people received. People's personal information was stored securely and confidentiality was maintained.
People told us they felt the staff provided care and support that was delivered in a way that promoted their dignity and respected their privacy. Staff were knowledgeable about people`s preferred routines and delivered care that was individualised to the person they were supporting.
People told us they felt that staff listened to them and responded to them in a positive way. People and their relatives knew how to raise concerns and they were confident that the manager would take appropriate action to address any concerns in a timely way.
People were asked to provide feedback about the service they received regularly and we saw these were positive.
People and their relatives were positive about the staff and the management of the service. The registered manager regularly audited the service and any improvements needed were actioned.