01 December 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection visit took place on 01 December 2015 and was announced. We gave the owner/registered manager 24 hours’ notice about our visit. We did this to ensure we had access to the main office and the management team were available.
Bay Homecare offers domiciliary care and support to a range of people in their own homes. The range of support provided includes assistance with personal care, domestic duties, laundry tasks, shopping, and meal preparation. At the time of our inspection visit we were informed the service provided support for 12 people.
There was a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The agency had not been inspected since their registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
People were kept safe and free from harm. There were appropriate numbers of staff employed to meet people’s needs and provide a flexible service. One staff member said, “This is a small personalised agency and we know people well.” Staff were able to accommodate last minute changes to appointments as requested by the person who used the service or their relatives. This was confirmed by talking with people who used the service.
The registered manager had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report any unsafe care or abusive practices.
We found recruitment procedures were in place. However the employment application form needs to request a full employment history not just ten years. This would support the registered manager to make an informed decision to ensure suitable staff were employed.
We have made a recommendation about the recruitment of employees.
Staff knew the people they were supporting and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people were involved in making decisions about their care. Risk assessments were completed for staff entering private homes to ensure people were kept safe.
Medication processes were in place should the agency be required to administer medicines. However more formal medication training for staff would support them to have the competencies, confidence and knowledge to administer and support people taking medicines safely.
We have made a recommendation the provider seeks guidance to ensure staff received formal medication training.
Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and support needs.
People were supported to eat and drink where needed. Staff supported people to attend healthcare appointments and liaised with their GP and other healthcare professionals. This was confirmed by records kept by the agency.
We found a number of audits were in place to monitor quality assurance. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to obtain the views of people who used the service and their relatives/friends.