Background to this inspection
Updated
30 December 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 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 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 registration. 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 the registered manager. We reviewed five care records for people using the service and three staff files. We also looked at a range of other documents in relation to the management of the service, including quality assurance documents.
After the inspection
We spoke with one person and six relatives of people using the service to seek their views and experiences of the care provided. We also spoke with a care coordinator and four care workers.
Updated
30 December 2021
About the service
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. Care Quality Commission (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.
At the time of our inspection, nine people were receiving personal care.
People’s experience of using this service
People told us they were happy with the service. Comments from relatives included, “We are happy with the care team” and “It’s really a lovely care agency.” Staff provided care that met the needs of people using the service. People were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff knew how to identify and report abuse.
Risks to people were assessed and managed. Staff followed guidance to provide care safely. The provider undertook recruitment checks to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff were trained in infection prevention and control and followed guidance when providing care to reduce the risk of cross contamination.
People received the supported they required to eat and drink healthily. Staff were trained, received supervision and felt supported in their roles.
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 staff were kind and caring. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity.
People’s care records contained details how people preferred to receive support. People were supported to remain independent where they were able to be. People knew how to make a complaint.
The registered manager responded to people’s needs as they arose. Quality assurance systems were used to identify shortfalls in the quality of care and make improvements when needed.
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 30 December 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
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.