Background to this inspection
Updated
3 July 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 team consisted of 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 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
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was 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 13 June 2019 and ended on 19 June 2019. We visited the office location on 13 June 2019.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We used this information to plan our 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.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, care coordinator, field care supervisor and five care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care and medication records. We also looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, training 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, rostering information and quality assurance records. We also reviewed feedback we had received from two health and social care professionals about their experience of the service.
Updated
3 July 2019
About the service
Ready Care Services is a domiciliary care agency, registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection, 30 people were using the service. Of those 30 people, 29 were receiving personal care and the remainder received help in the home or companionship services. 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
Systems were in place to check the safety and monitor the quality of the service, further improvements were required to ensure these systems were more robust.
People and relatives spoke positively about the kind, caring attitude of staff, felt safe using the service and were satisfied with the support they received.
People did not experience missed visits. Although most people were happy with their care call visits, some people told us the timeliness of these could be improved.
People received their prescribed medicines by trained staff, improvements were required to ensure protocols were in place to provide staff with clear guidance for ‘as and when required’ medicines.
Care plans were person centred, detailing how people liked to be supported. Some people’s care plans did not have associated risk management plans in place; for example, with regard to catheter care.
Recruitment procedures were safe. Staff had been recruited following relevant checks being completed. Staff received training to develop their skills and knowledge, were well supported and worked effectively as a team.
People were supported to maintain good health and access health care professionals. Where appropriate, referrals to health care professionals were made and recommendations were followed by staff. Where required, people were supported with their nutritional needs.
Staff treated people with dignity and respect. People's independence was promoted and, where possible, they were encouraged to do as much as they could for themselves.
People were consulted over their care and support needs. 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.
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 16/08/2018. This is the first inspection for the service.
Why we inspected
This was a planned comprehensive inspection.
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.