Background to this inspection
Updated
3 March 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This was the second comprehensive inspection of Cherry Care Services. We gave the service 48 hours' notice of the inspection because it is a small community care service and we needed to ensure the registered manager would be available. The inspection started on 19 January and ended on 22 January 2018.
The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.
Before the inspection, the registered provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We planned for the inspection using information from the PIR and other information we held about the service. This included statutory notifications. A statutory notification is information about important events; the provider is required to send us by law.
With people’s consent, we carried out home visits with two people who used the service. We also visited the office location to meet with the registered manager / registered provider. We reviewed the care records for three people using the service, two staff recruitment records and other records in relation to the management and running of the service. These included staff training records, quality assurance audits, safeguarding and complaints records. We spoke with two people using the service, two relatives and three care staff. We also took into consideration feedback received from commissioners who monitor the care and support of people using the service.
Updated
3 March 2018
Cherry Care is a small domiciliary care agency that provides the regulated activity, ‘personal care’ to people living in their own homes in the community. CQC only inspects the service being 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.
At the time of the inspection, the service was providing ‘personal care’ to eight people using the service.
At our last inspection in December 2015, we rated the service ‘Good’. At this inspection, we found the evidence continued to support the rating of ‘Good’ and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
People and relatives felt safe with the staff providing their care and support. Staff were aware of their responsibilities for keeping people safe from any form of abuse and avoidable harm. The registered manager understood their responsibilities to keep people safe, they had notified the local safeguarding authority and Care Quality Commission (CQC) of safeguarding concerns and carried out investigations as required.
Staff recruitment procedures ensured appropriate checks were carried out on new staff to ensure they were suitable to work at the service. The staffing arrangements met the individual dependency needs of people using the service.
Staff had the appropriate skills, competency and knowledge to meet people’s individual needs. Health and safety training followed current relevant national guidance to prevention and control of infection.
Ongoing support and one to one supervision was provided for staff to reflect on their practice and promote self development.
People received their medicines safely and staff supported people to access support from healthcare professionals when required to ensure that people received coordinated care and support.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) legislation and followed this in practice.
People were involved in planning their ongoing care and support. The care plans were person centred and provided staff with appropriate guidance.
People's needs and risks were assessed and staff were aware of the needs of each person. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and provided care in keeping with their wishes and preferences.
Feedback from people, relatives and staff was used to drive continuous improvement of the service. The complaints policy was made available to people and relatives so they knew how to raise any concerns and complaints.
The service notified the Care Quality Commission of events and incidents, as required by law. Internal audits continually monitored the quality of the service, based on the audit findings timely action was taken to drive continuous improvement of the service.