Archived: The Essex Care Group

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 service was inspected 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

This inspection was announced. Due to the pandemic, we gave a short period notice of the inspection to enable us to collate as much information as possible virtually, to minimise the time spent by the inspection team visiting the provider’s office.

Inspection activity started on 25 November 2021 and ended on 6 December 2021. We visited the office location on 25 November 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it registered with CQC. 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person and seven relatives of people who use the service about their experiences of the care provided. We spoke with 4 members of staff including the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 30 December 2021

About the service

Essex Care Group is a family run domiciliary care agency registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. 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 inspection, the service was providing personal care and support to 15 people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People felt safe and spoke positively about care workers because they had confidence in their knowledge and skills. Staff had been recruited safely following completion of relevant checks. We have made a recommendation about best practice recording of recruitment documentation.

Prescribed medicine was administered by trained staff. We have made a recommendation about the management of some medicines. Staff were provided appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which they used effectively to prevent spread of infection.

Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how to act on any concerns. All staff completed a comprehensive induction. Competency was monitored through spot checks and supervisions. The registered manager valued continuous learning and supported staff to complete additional qualifications in health and social care.

Care planning documentation detailed specific guidance to ensure individualised care could be provided safely. Risks had been identified and were managed by appropriate assessments. People’s nutritional needs were supported effectively, where required. People were also supported to access healthcare.

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.

Staff were respectful to people, relatives and their homes. People and their relatives consistently told us staff were kind and they were given the time they needed to be cared for safely, with respect. People and relatives were contacted regularly, formally and informally to ensure people were actively involved in their care provision. We have made a recommendation about best practice documenting of end of life care records.

Staff promoted independence by taking time to understand what people needed support with, which enabled people to feel in control and remain as independent as possible. The service was keen to make improvements to ensure everyone can receive information in a way they can understand. Information about how to complain was provided to people. Staff and people’s feedback was gathered and analysed with the intent to improve care quality.

Although there were systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service provided, these systems and processes were still being modified and developed by the registered manager and support team. It needs to be demonstrated going forward that developments made are embedded and sustained.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 24/09/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection because the service had not been inspected or rated.

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.