Background to this inspection
Updated
8 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
The inspection was completed by three inspectors and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. One of the inspectors made calls to staff.
Service and service type
Kare Plus Guildford provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes. Services are provided to older people, people with mental health needs, physical and learning disabilities and sensory impairment.
The service had a manager that was registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). A registered manager 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
Our inspection was announced. We gave 48 hours’ notice to ensure that the registered manager and the provider would be present at the office. The inspection took place on the 9 December 2019.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals 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.
We spoke with four people and three relatives of people using the service.
During the inspection
At the office we spoke with the provider and two members of staff. We reviewed three people’s care records, medicine records, audits, recruitment records for all staff and other records about the management of the service. We also spoke with five members of staff.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We received feedback from the local authority.
Updated
8 January 2020
About the service
Kare Plus Guildford provides care to people that live in their own homes. Services are provided to older people, people with mental health needs, physical and learning disabilities and sensory impairment. 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. There were seven people receiving a personal care at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The risk assessments for people were in place, however more detailed guidance was required for staff. Improvements were also required around how staff recorded on people’s medicines charts.
People told us they felt safe with the care staff. There were sufficient numbers of staff to provide care. There were systems in place to monitor whether staff were late for a call or if they had not turned up for a call.
Staff were aware of the care people needed and care plans contained information around people’s preferences. Staff also communicated the needs of people through care notes and meetings. People were asked their consent before any care was delivered. Healthcare professionals were consulted in relation to the care delivery.
Staff received appropriate training and supervision to ensure safe and effective care was delivered. People told us staff were caring and considerate towards them. Staff maintained good relationships with people and people were treated in a dignified and respectful way. People told us staff supported their independence.
There were systems in place to review the quality of the care including audits, surveys and spot checks. Where shortfalls had been identified, actions were taken to address this. People, relatives and staff were very complimentary about the management of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was Inadequate (published 19 September 2019) and there were multiple breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection there had been significant improvements however the provider was still in breach of one regulation. The service no longer remains in special measures.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. We have found evidence that the provider made improvements. However, there were areas around the management of risk and medicines where further improvement is needed. Please see the Safe, and Well Led sections of this full report. The provider gave assurances that these shortfall will be addressed. You can see what action we have asked the provider to take at the end of this full report
Follow up
We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.