Background to this inspection
Updated
11 March 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about infection prevention and control, including staff training and staffing levels.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the 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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection-
We spoke with three people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the nominated individual, registered manager and care workers. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
We reviewed a range of records relating to the management of the service, the prevention and control of infections and relevant policies and procedures.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
11 March 2021
About the service
Vale Care Ltd is a domiciliary care service. The service provides personal care to people living in their own homes or flats. At the time of the inspection there were 16 people using the service. The service was supporting older people, people with physical disabilities and people living with dementia.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and relatives told us the service was safe. Risks to people had been identified and assessed. Records did not always provide sufficient information and guidance on the measures needed to reduce risks, although staff were knowledgeable about the risks people faced. Improvements were needed to the recording of medicines to evidence that people had received their medicines as prescribed and at the right time. Systems to analyse and share learning from incidents required further development.
The provider had developed audits and checks to check the quality and safety of the services provided. These required further development to ensure systems, processes and records were sufficiently robust and effective in identifying where improvements were required.
People and relatives described experiencing care that was person-centred. However, care plans and records did not always support a personalised approach. Some care plans lacked detailed information that reflected person-centred care and care plans were not always updated in a timely manner to reflect changes in people's needs.
Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities of keeping people safe from harm. People received care from consistent, regular staff who had been safely recruited and trained to meet their needs. Staff received a range of training appropriate to their role and people's needs, and were supported to follow best practice by the registered manager.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their life and staff supported them in the least restrict way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service required further development to support this practice.
People and their relatives spoke favourably about staff and the positive and supportive relationships that had developed. They spoke of the caring and compassionate nature of staff who considered their privacy, dignity and independence.
People and relatives were involved in the development of care plans, which enabled staff to provide the care and support each person had agreed was appropriate to them. People’s views about the service were regularly sought to develop the service. Those we spoke with were confident to raise concerns if they needed to.
The leadership of the service promoted a positive culture that was person-centred and inclusive. The provider, registered manager and the staff team showed a desire to improve on the service provided and in turn the quality of the care people received. They worked in partnership with other agencies to ensure people received the best possible outcomes, in line with their wishes and preferences.
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 requires improvement (published on 11 September 2018).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.