Background to this inspection
Updated
20 November 2020
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about medicine management.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
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 unannounced and took place on 27 October 2020.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
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. We also requested feedback from Healthwatch to obtain their views of the service. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five members of staff including the operations director who is also the registered manager, locality manager, senior care worker and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two relatives about their experience of the care provided.
Updated
20 November 2020
Dimensions Worcester Domiciliary Care Office is a domiciliary and supported living service for people with learning disabilities. The provider currently supports 105 people live in their own homes.
At the last inspection December 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection on 21 and 22 November 2017 we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good
People continued to receive care which protected them from avoidable harm and abuse. Risks to people’s safety were identified and measures were in place to help reduce these risks. When people required support to take their medicines this only happened when staff had received the training to do so. Regular checks on staff practices were undertaken to support people’s safety.
Staff were available to respond to and meet people's needs safely without people feeling rushed. Recruitment checks were completed on potential new staff to make sure they were suitable to support people in their own homes. People were involved in the recruitment of staff, who would be potentially supporting them.
People were provided with care which continued to be effective in meeting their particular needs. Staff had received training to provide them the skills and knowledge they needed to provide the right care and support people required.
People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice
Staff asked people's permission before they assisted them with any care or support. People's right to make their own decisions about care and how they were supported by staff was respected. When needed, arrangements were in place to support people in remaining in good health and have enough to eat and drink. People were assisted to choose and prepare food menus so their independence was maitianed.
People continued to receive support from staff that had a caring approach. People knew the staff that supported them and had good relationships with them. People felt involved in their own care and staff listened to how they preferred their care and support to be delivered. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity when they supported them and promoted their independence. People were supported to follow their own interests and hobbies.
People were provided with care and support which was individual to them. Their care and support needs were kept under review and staff responded when there were changes in these needs.
People were encouraged to raise concerns and make complaints and were happy these would be responded to. The management team used feedback from complaints and questionnaires to assist them in identifying areas of improvements for the benefit of people. The provider arranged forums throughout the year so people could express their opinions on the service delivered.
Staff were happy in their work and were clear about their roles and responsibilities. There was an ethos of continuously looking for improvement of the service delivered.
There was a clearly defined management structure which had changed since our previous inspection. People felt listened to when they provided feedback about the service they received and knew about the changes. The management team worked well together and developed systems so they continued to be effective and responsive in assessing and monitoring the quality of the service provided.