Background to this inspection
Updated
30 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
This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service
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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 17 October 2019 and ended on 5 November 2019. We visited the office location on 21 October 2019.
What we did before 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 four people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also visited two people at their homes to gather feedback. We spoke with eight members of staff including care staff, senior care staff, a care team leader, supporting manager and the Head of Care Service Development.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication 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.
Updated
30 November 2019
Guinness Care is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care in people's own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care and support to 27 people.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives were complimentary about the care and support they received. A person-centred culture was at the centre of the service. People told us their privacy and dignity were always respected and staff supported them to be as independent as possible.
There were enough staff to safely meet people’s needs. The service was developing, and the recruitment of new staff was ongoing. Safer recruitment procedures were followed. The service had listened to feedback from staff and care calls were now planned more effectively. People received their care as expected.
People were usually supported by staff they knew. Risks were assessed, and staff understood the actions they needed to take to keep people safe. People received their medication safely and as prescribed.
The provider was passionate about the training and the wellbeing of staff. Staff received a thorough induction and ongoing training. Care plans were detailed, individualised and up to date. People received appropriate support with their nutrition and health 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. The service would benefit from clarifying with staff the procedures they would follow if people did not have the capacity to consent to their care.
The service was well-led. The management team had a clear vision for the future development of the service. There was a focus on providing person centred and quality care. Staff were well supported, and effective systems were in place to monitor the quality of the service. The provider sought people’s feedback to help develop 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
This service was registered with us on 14 November 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration of the service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.