Dream Community Personnel Limited (Woolwich)

Updated 13 July 2018

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 provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection site visit took place on 20 June 2018 and was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to ensure someone was available in the office to support us with the inspection.

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and was supported by an expert by experience who conducted telephone interviews with people using the service and relatives where appropriate. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. Before we visited the service, we checked the information we held about the service and the service provider including notifications and incidents affecting the safety and well-being of people. No concerns had been raised. The provider also completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with four people using the service and four relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, three care workers and one healthcare professional. We reviewed five people’s care plans, five staff files, training records and records relating to the management of the service such as audits, policies and procedures.

Updated 13 July 2018

We undertook an announced inspection on 20 June 2018 of Dream Community Personnel Limited (Woolwich). This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. It provides a service to older adults. At the time of the inspection, 14 people were using the service.

This was the service’s first inspection since their registration on 27 June 2017.

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. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons.’ Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People's health and social care needs had been assessed. Care plans were person-centred, and specific to each person and their needs. People’s care preferences, likes and dislikes were documented. Care plans were regularly reviewed and were updated when people's needs changed.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect people from the risk of harm. Risks to people were identified and managed so that people were safe. Staff had received training in safeguarding adults and knew how to recognise and report any concerns or allegations of abuse. Staff followed appropriate infection control practices. Systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely. Accidents and incidents were recorded. Management staff had taken action to reduce the chances of incidents happening again.

Records showed any necessary action and lessons learnt had been taken by management staff and measures put in place to minimise the risk of reoccurrence and ensure people were safe from further incidents

There were sufficient numbers of suitable staff to support people to stay safe and meet their needs. Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with induction and training to enable them to support people effectively. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from management.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff we spoke with had an understanding of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA).

The service worked in partnership with other agencies and people were supported to have access to healthcare services. People were supported with their nutritional and hydration needs.

There was a management structure in place. Staff spoke positively about working for the service. Staff told us that they received up to date information about the service and had an opportunity to share good practice and any concerns they had at team meetings.

There were systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service. Feedback about the service was also sought through questionnaires. Feedback was positive about the service people received. There were procedures for receiving, handling and responding to comments and complaints in a timely manner.