Background to this inspection
Updated
29 November 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
The 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 homes.
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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 5 November 2019 and ended on 6 November 2019, after we visited the registered office.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. 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 spoke with five relatives of people who use the service. We spoke with the registered manager and three care workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, induction training and support. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training information and the updated business continuity plan.
Updated
29 November 2019
About the service
Synergy Homecare is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there were five 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 care needs were met safely by staff who they trusted. People’s safety was maintained and promoted through effective systems and processes to protect people from abuse. Potential risks to people were assessed and kept under review. Support plans had clear guidance about the level of support people required to meet their needs in a safe way. Staff knew how to report concerns when people’s safety and wellbeing was at risk.
Safe staff recruitment procedures were followed to protect people from unsuitable staff. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Staff were trained for their role and supervised to ensure their skills and knowledge were kept up to date to meet people’s care needs.
People were supported to maintain good health. People were supported with their medicines and accessed health care services when needed. Where assessed, staff prepared food and drink to meet people’s dietary needs and requirements.
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 received timely care and support from reliable and caring staff. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was promoted. People had developed positive relations with staff who were committed to non-discriminatory practices. People’s communication needs were met and understood by staff.
People received person centred care. The registered manager and staff had a good understanding of people’s needs and their individual preferences. Support plans were personalised and took account of people’s religious and cultural needs. Staff worked flexibly to enable people to maintain their independence and contact with family and the wider community friends. People had the opportunity to express their wishes in relation to end of life care.
Everyone we spoke with felt the registered manager was approachable and responsive. People were confident complaints would be listened to and acted on. People’s views about the service were sought individually and through surveys.
The registered manager understood their legal responsibilities. The quality of care was monitored through reviews, audits and feedback. Systems were in place ensure staff were trained and supported in their roles. The registered manager and staff team understood and promoted the provider’s values and principles. This was achieved by the registered manager who worked in partnership with health care professionals, agencies and community services and shared learning with the staff team when things went wrong.
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 20 November 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration and when the service began to provide care to people.
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.