Archived: The College Business Centre

The College Business Centre is a domiciliary care service. It provides care for people living in their own houses and flats. People are supported in their own homes so that they can live as independently as possible. CQC regulates the personal care and support. There were eleven people who received personal care at the time of the inspection. 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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and families felt care staff knew them well and provided care to meet their needs safely. Care plans and risk assessments were in place, however some lacked detail. Care staff were trained and assessed as competent to administer medicines safely. However, some changes were required to ensure records of medicines were kept in line with good practice.

The registered manager completed pre-employment recruitment checks to ensure staff were suitable to work at the service. Care staff received training and support to help them provide safe care to people. Care staff knew how to recognise potential abuse and how to report it to promote people’s safety. Risks from the transmission of infections, including from COVID-19, were identified and managed.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People’s needs and choices were reflected in any assessments completed. Care staff completed induction training and had on-going training and support in areas relevant to people’s care needs. Where people received care to help with their nutrition, their needs had been assessed and information was available to care staff on how to reduce any known risks. Care staff worked with any other relevant health and social care professionals when required to ensure people received effective care.

Care staff were caring, polite and professional. People’s equality and diversity needs were respected. Care staff provided respectful care and promoted people’s dignity and independence. People were involved in decisions about their care.

People received responsive and personalised care. People were supported to have choice and control over their care. Any communication needs were assessed to help ensure communication with people was effective. Care staff took steps to help reduce social isolation for people. Systems were in place to respond to any complaints or feedback and improve care quality. People received end of life care that helped to promote their comfort and choices.

Audits and spot checks were in place to help ensure the quality and safety of services and these had been mostly effective. Statutory notifications were submitted as required and policies and procedures were in place to support governance of the service. The service looked to continuously learn and improve care. The service was led with an open and approachable management style. People, relatives and care staff felt involved and able to contribute. Care staff felt valued. The service worked well in partnership with others to achieve good outcomes to people’s care.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 10 July 2017 and this is the first inspection. The service has not operated continuously since it first registered. It re-commenced providing personal care in September 2021.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.