Background to this inspection
Updated
11 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 team consisted of one inspector.
The service had a manager registered with the CQC. 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 two working days' notice of the inspection because the service provides care to people in their own homes and we wanted to make sure that management were available on the day of the inspection site visit.
Inspection activity started on 2 November 2021 and ended on 11 November 2021. We visited the office location on 2 November 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered with the CQC. The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The PIR also provides data about the organisation and service. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
During the site visit we spoke with the registered manager and chief executive officer who is the nominated individual.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at a further two people’s care records and two staff files. We also looked at training data, quality assurance records, policies and procedures. We spoke with one person who received care from the service. Some people who received care from the service had limited communication and therefore we were unable to speak with them. We spoke with one relative. We obtained feedback from two care professionals. We also spoke with three care staff.
Updated
11 December 2021
About the service
Walfinch Hampstead & Camden is a domiciliary care agency registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes. The service provides support to people of different abilities. At the time of inspection, the service provided care to eight people, four of whom received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspect the service received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service:
Feedback indicated that people and relatives were satisfied with the care and services provided. They spoke positively about the agency.
Medicines were not always being managed safely by the provider and we found a breach of regulation in respect of this.
People were protected from abuse. Staff had received training on how to safeguard people and were aware of the procedure to follow if they suspected that people were subject to abuse.
People's care needs were risk assessed and care plans provided staff with the information to manage the identified risk.
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 provider had taken measures to prevent and control the spread of COVID -19 and other infections.
The provider had a complaints policy and procedure in place. The management team were open and transparent throughout the inspection and responded to any requests positively.
Management monitored aspects of the quality of the services through regular audits and checks. However, the provider's quality systems were not sufficiently robust to identify the concerns we highlighted with the management of medicines.
Staff told us they felt trained and supported. They were confident that management would address any concerns around their personal development and the safety of people who use 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 and update
The service was registered with us on 28 November 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned comprehensive inspection to review the key questions, Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led and rate this service.
Enforcement
We have identified a breach in relation to safe care and treatment at this inspection.
Follow up:
We will request an action plan for the provider to understand what they will do to improve the standards of quality and safety. We will work alongside the provider and local authority to monitor progress.