Daryel Care Lambeth

Daryel Care Lambeth is a domiciliary care service which provides personal care to people in their own homes. The service provides support to adults with a range of support needs. At the time of our inspection there were 143 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 received a service that was safe. Sufficient numbers of suitably vetted staff were deployed to meet their needs. People’s medicines were administered as intended by the prescribing G.P. People continued to be protected against the risk of abuse, as staff knew how to identify, report and escalate suspected abuse.

Staff followed best practice guidelines regarding COVID-19 and the prevention and control of infection. Incidents and accidents were regularly monitored to minimise the risk of repeat occurrences.

People continued to receive support from staff who reflected on their working practices and received on-going training to enhance their knowledge and skills. 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 support from staff who treated them with kindness, respect and maintained their dignity. People’s independence was encouraged, and staff monitored people’s health and wellbeing, seeking guidance from healthcare professionals when required.

The provider encouraged an open and inclusive service, where people were at the centre of the service. People, their relatives and staff spoke positively of how the service was managed. People’s views were sought. The registered manager had oversight of the service through regular auditing systems and worked in partnership with other stakeholders to drive improvement.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 5 December 2019).

At our last inspection we recommended that the provider review staffing hours to ensure they received adequate rest breaks. We also recommended the provider updated their auditing process to ensure issues identified were acted on swiftly. At this inspection we found the provider had acted on the recommendations and made improvements on staff rest breaks and auditing systems.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on our inspection scheduling.

The overall rating for the service has changed from requires improvement to good based on the findings of this inspection.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.

People’s experience of using this service:

People did not always receive care and support from staff that received adequate time off. People’s medicines were not always recorded in line with good practice. We have made a recommendation in relation to staff rest breaks. Further details are in the safe section below.

People did not receive care and support from a service that was always well-led. There were failings in the oversight and management of the service. Audits did not always identify issues found at the inspection. We have made a recommendation in relation to the oversight of the service. Further details are in the well-led section below.

People were protected against the risk of abuse as staff received safeguarding training and were aware of the provider’s whistleblowing policy. Risk management plans were reviewed regularly and gave staff guidance on mitigating identified risks. Newly employed staff underwent a comprehensive pre-employment check to ensure their suitability for the role. People were protected against the risk of poor infection control practice.

People received care and support from staff that underwent training to enhance their skills and experiences. Staff reflected on their working practices through regular supervisions and appraisals. Where agreed in people’s care package, people were supported to access food and drink that met their dietary needs and preferences. People’s health was regularly monitored and where concerns had been identified, healthcare services were sought, and guidance implemented.

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.

We received mixed comments about the care and support people received. However, people’s privacy was respected and where safe to do so, people’s independence was encouraged and celebrated. People were encouraged to share their views, and these were taken on board.

Care plans were personalised and clearly detailed people’s health, medical and mental needs and gave staff clear guidance on how to support people in line with their wishes. Complaints were effectively managed in a timely manner. The provider had an end of life policy in place.

The provider encouraged partnership working with stakeholders. The registered manager was aware of their responsibilities in line with legislation and the Duty of Candour.

Rating at last inspection:

This is our first inspection of the service since their registration on 24 December 2018.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection was planned in line with our inspection programme.

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.