26 May 2022
During a routine inspection
Leys Consultants is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes.
At the time of the inspection, there were eight people using the service. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. At the time of our inspection they were providing personal care to four older people , some with a diagnosis of early dementia. The 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Although we received positive feedback from people, relatives and staff about how the service was managed, we found there were a lack of quality assurance checks to monitor the quality of the service. Some policies were out of date, there were no formal methods of auditing records and to identify some of the issues we found at this inspection.
Staff were given training that was relevant to the needs of people using the service. However, we found that staff induction checklists, supervisions and competency checks were not being completed or recorded.
We have made a recommendation to the provider in relation to formal engagement with people, staff and other relevant stakeholders.
People and their relatives were satisfied with the service and care they received. They told us they had no concerns around safety. There were enough care workers employed who continued to meet people’s needs. Infection control practices were safe. Risks to people were assessed and managed, this helped to the provider to deliver care in a safe way.
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 sought appropriate consent from people before starting to support them. People were supported by the provider to meet the health and dietary needs. .
The service was caring, this was reflected in the feedback we received from people and their relatives. Care workers demonstrated a good understanding of people’s support needs and cared for them in a dignified and respectful manner. People were involved in planning and directing their own care.
Care plans were person centred, containing the views of people using the service. They were written in a manner that promoted independence and care workers supported people in line with their individual preferences. People and their relatives were given details about how and who to complain to if they were not satisfied with their care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This was the first inspection of the service since it registered with the CQC on 16 October 2020.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on when the service registered with us.
Enforcement and Recommendations
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.
We have identified breaches in relation to staffing and good governance at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this full report.
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. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk