20 June 2017
During a routine inspection
My Life Living Assistance (Lewes) is a domiciliary care company based in Lewes. They provide support and care for predominately older people living in their own homes. Some people were at risk of falls and had long term healthcare needs. My Life Living Assistance (Lewes) provide their services within an approximate 10 mile radius from their office in Lewes. At the time of our inspection 100 people were using the service. There was a registered manager in post, a registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.
Although people and their relatives spoke positively about the service and its leadership we found shortfalls related to some records and an aspect of quality assurance. We found examples where people’s care documentation was incomplete and lacked sufficient detail to ensure staff had clear guidance on how to support people in their own homes. Most of the provider’s quality assurance had been effective at providing oversight and driving improvement however the systems used for the audit of people’s care plans was not robust and had not identified the shortfalls we found. The registered manager was responsive to our feedback and took corrective steps to begin addressing these areas during our inspection.
However, we found other quality assurance systems had been used to improve the service and were designed to ensure people received safe, good quality care. Areas routinely checked included medicines and daily care documentation. Additional quality assurance systems had been established and completed by a regional quality assurance manager.
People told us they felt safe using the services of My Life Living Assistance (Lewes). Positive comments from people included, “I continue to be pleased with the care and how the staff help me.” Staff had a good understanding of how to safeguard people from different types of abuse and how to raise and escalate any concerns they had for people’s wellbeing and safety. Where people had been involved in an incident or accident steps had been taken to investigate, follow up and to reduce the risk of them being repeated.
Medicines were managed safely and in accordance with current regulations and guidance. Medicines records were audited and reviewed to check for errors or omissions. Staff knowledge and competency was routinely checked upon to ensure they were confident to support people with their medicines.
The risks and support needs associated with caring for people in their own homes had been assessed and were reviewed appropriately. Care plans were person centred and the majority provided an accurate guide for staff to consistently care for people. Staff supported people to access health care services if required. Staff told us they knew people well and recognised if they were unwell.
Staff had an understanding of the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Care documentation reflected action had been taken and appropriate agencies involved where potential concerns were identified regarding people’s capacity to make decisions regarding their care.
There were enough staff to meet people's support needs and staff had regular training, supervision and appraisal to support them in their roles. Staff gave positive feedback about the training they underwent and people and their relatives told us they felt staff were well trained. Robust and appropriate pre-employment checks had been completed before staff began working for the provider.
People knew how to make a complaint or raise concerns with staff or the registered manager. There was an appropriate complaints system in place. People told us they were supported by friendly, reliable and caring staff who respected their privacy and promoted their independence. People who needed it were supported to eat and drink enough and staff knew what to do if they thought someone was at risk of not eating or drinking sufficient amounts. People were supported with their day to day health care needs.