Background to this inspection
Updated
30 April 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave a short notice period of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 22 March 2022 and ended on 29 March 2022. We visited the location’s office on 22 March 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service and sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke to four staff members, one senior care assistant and three care assistants about their experience of working for the service. We consulted the registered manager and the nominated individual regarding current procedures in the service. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records, medication records and maintenance and safety certificates. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including three staff recruitment records and quality assurance procedures in place.
After the inspection
We continued to review records and polices after the inspection. We reviewed meeting records, training information and processes to ensure quality in the service. We reviewed policies and procedures in place to ensure a good standard of care. We spoke to four relatives and five people who used the service to gather feedback on the care and safety of the service.
Updated
30 April 2022
About the service
Care Solutions North Yorkshire is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. The service supports younger and older adults. This includes people who may be living with dementia, a physical disability and mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 32 people using the service.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. 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
People were supported to have their medication and staff were trained with appropriate competency checks in place to ensure they were able to provide safe care. As and when required or PRN medicines were administered when needed however the recording of this was not in line with current guidance. Medication audits had been produced but these were not robust enough to highlight the concerns raised at the inspection. We have made a recommendation in this area.
People had person-centred care plans in place which took into account people’s preferences. People told us that the staff were always kind and patient, having the time to spend with them creating positive relationships and trust.
One person described the care as, “first class”, with another person saying, ‘they are very good at everything they do.’
People’s feedback of the service was positive and those that responded felt the care they received helped improve their quality of life.
Staff were trained and well supported in their roles by both the registered manager and the provider. Best practice and good care were encouraged with systems in place to share this conduct across the team and reward schemes in place to promote excellent care.
Risks to both people and staff had been assessed with appropriate risk assessments in place to help protect people. Processes had been developed to monitor the safety of both people and staff which was overseen by the registered manager.
People told us that staff always worked to maintain their dignity and privacy and they were always respectful when providing care.
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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 13 November 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Recommendations
We made a recommendation around the providers recording and monitoring of medicines. At the time of inspection best practice guidance was not followed and this was not identified by the provider. There was no evidence that this resulted in harm to people. The provider took action to amend practices when this was highlighted on inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.