Background to this inspection
Updated
6 December 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
One inspector conducted the inspection.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own home.
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.
We gave the service 48 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
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
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 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the nominated individual, registered manager and three 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. This included two people’s care records We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. 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.
Updated
6 December 2019
About the service
Hallam Healthcare Care Limited is a service providing care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing support to 14 people, but only 4 of those were receiving support with personal care. As the Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate domestic support, this inspection relates only to people receiving the regulated activity of personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
At our last inspection we found people did not have risk assessments in place, to ensure that potential risks to people were managed and minimised. At this inspection we found people’s care and support was planned and delivered in a way that ensured it met their needs and reflected their preferences. The care records we looked at included risk assessments. They had been devised to help minimise and monitor the risks, while promoting the person’s independence.
People told us the service was safe. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns about people’s safety and welfare. Robust recruitment procedures helped to protect people against the risk of being supported by unsuitable staff.
People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. Staff were dedicated to ensuring people experienced the best possible care and support. People’s equality and diversity needs, and preferences were respected.
Relatives were happy with the support offered and felt very comfortable with all staff who were flexible, understanding and sensitive to people’s needs. Staff clearly knew people well. Privacy and dignity were promoted and respected. Support was person-centred, and people had access to a range of activities.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff received training, supervision and appraisal which supported them to have the knowledge and skills to do their job well and effectively meet people’s needs.
Staff supported people to have enough to eat and drink and to access healthcare services when they needed. They telephoned for doctors or nurses to attend to a person if they were unwell.
People were treated with respect by staff who showed compassion and understanding. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people to be as independent as possible.
People knew how to complain and were confident the registered manager would resolve their concerns.
People who used the service, relatives and staff could express their views about the service which were acted upon. The management team provided leadership that gained the respect of staff and motivated them as a team.
There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and make improvements when needed.
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 29 November 2018) and the provider was in breach of one regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
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.