Background to this inspection
Updated
18 March 2020
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
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means the provider was legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The provider managed the service and had begun the process to be the registered manager.
Notice of inspection
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 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 who work with the service. 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.
During the inspection
We visited and spoke with two people who used the service. We spoke with two relatives and an advocate about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the provider and director, as they both provided care and support, and managed the service. We reviewed a range of records. This included three 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 received and reviewed the training information and the emergency needs assessment and care plan documentation.
Updated
18 March 2020
About the service
Dandelion Home Care is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were four people using the service.
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’s safety was promoted. Staff recognised the signs of abuse and knew how to report concerns to protect people. Potential risks to people’s safety had been assessed, managed and monitored. People were supported to maintain good health. Staff supported people with their medicines and ensured they had access to health care services when needed. People’s dietary needs were met.
People were supported by kind and caring staff who they trusted. Safe staff recruitment processes were followed. Arrangements were in place to ensure all staff had the skills and knowledge they required to meet people’s care and support needs. There were enough staff to provide the care and support people needed.
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. People made decisions about all aspects of their care which were documented in their care plans and respected by staff.
People received person centred care. People’s care plans reflected their individual preferences, diverse cultural needs and how they wished to be supported. People’s privacy and dignity was respected. People had developed positive relations with staff who were reliable and caring. The manager and director were committed to non-discriminatory practices and worked flexibly to promote people’s lifestyle choices and social engagement.
Everyone we spoke with told us the manager and director were approachable and they were confident concerns would be addressed. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of care provided. People’s views about the service were sought individually and through surveys. The manager was responsive and addressed issues identified quickly to improve their system of recording incidents and accidents.
The service did not have a manager registered with Care Quality Commission (CQQ) although the manager had begun the process. Following the inspection visit the manager, who was also the provider was confirmed as the registered manager for the service.
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 ‘not rated’ (published 13 September 2019) because there was insufficient evidence.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dandelion Home Care on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.