Westwood Homecare

Updated 6 November 2021

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 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 provider or registered manager 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 and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, the nominated individual, a care coordinator and two care staff. We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We looked at training data and quality assurance 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 contacted four professionals who have regular contact with the service.

Updated 6 November 2021

About the service

Westwood Homecare is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 27 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

Appropriate systems to help safeguard people from the risk of abuse were in place. Safety was assessed and measures put in place to help minimise risks. Medicines were managed safely at the service. Infection prevention and control guidance was followed to minimise risks related to the spread of infection.

Staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs and recruitment was carried out safely. There was a thorough induction programme and training was on-going throughout people’s employment. People’s needs were thoroughly assessed prior to a service being started. Care plans included information about support required to help inform care provision. Appropriate referrals were made to other agencies and professionals when required.

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 told us they were well treated and their equality and diversity respected. People’s views were taken into account when agreeing on the support required. Communication needs were taken into account and addressed with appropriate actions.

Complaints were responded to appropriately and used to inform improvement to care provision. The provider was open and honest, in dealing with concerns raised. The management team were available for people to contact and ensured quality checks were made regularly to help ensure continued good standards of care.

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

Rating at last inspection

We carried out a focused inspection (published 23 September 2020) in the areas of Safe and Well-led. No overall rating was given at the time as all five domains were not looked at.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to look at all five domains and to rate the service.

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.