Cambridgeshire Care Agency Limited

Updated 13 February 2019

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.

One inspector carried out the inspection. We visited the agency’s office on 10 January 2019 and spoke to staff by telephone on 11 January 2019. We gave the registered manager 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because this is a small service and we wanted to make sure that someone would be in the office.

Prior to the inspection we looked at information we held about the service such as notifications. These are events that happen in the service that the law requires the provider to tell us about. We had asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed this information received on 8 March 2018, and the report of our last inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, a care-coordinator and three support workers. There was one person using this service who declined to feedback on the service provided. Prior to the site visit we wrote to a number of health and social care professionals for feedback to aid us with our inspection planning.

We reviewed care records relating to one person who used the service and other documents central to people's health and well-being. These included staff records, complaints records, medication records and quality audits.

Updated 13 February 2019

Cambridgeshire Care Agency Limited is a domiciliary care agency (DCA) providing the regulated activity of personal care to people who live in their own homes. At the time of this inspection one person was receiving support with their personal care from the agency.

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection. At this announced inspection carried out on the 10,11 January 2019, we found the service remained Good overall.

Staff protected people as far as possible from discrimination and harm. The registered manager assessed potential risks to people. Plans were in place so staff knew how to minimise risks to people in the least restrictive way and without removing people’s right to take risks. However, staff did not always notify the registered manager quickly enough when people’s care and support needs changed.

The registered manager recruited new staff following checks to make sure they were suitable. There was enough appropriately trained staff to work in this service to meet people’s changing needs. Staff did not support people with their prescribed medication. Staff had received training in infection control practices. Staff had personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons provided for them. The registered manager and staff team used incidents as a learning tool to help further ensure people’s and staffs safety and well-being.

People continued to receive an effective service. Staff received supervisions, appraisals, training and support, which helped them to do their job. The registered manager assessed people’s care and support needs to make sure staff could meet these needs, before offering the person a service. Staff supported people to eat and drink enough to maintain their health. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

People continued to receive care and support from staff who cared about their well-being. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. They knew people well and helped people to still be as independent as possible.

People continued to receive a service that was responsive to their needs. People were fully involved in planning their care and made their own decisions about this support. Support plans were personalised and gave information for staff, from the person’s viewpoint. Staff went with people, if asked, to community activities and keeping their interests. The registered manager dealt appropriately with complaints and tried to resolve complaints wherever possible.

The service continued to be well-led, by a registered manager who gave good, hands-on leadership. They monitored the service for quality and put actions in place to address any shortfalls. There was an open, person-centred culture. The provider sought the views of people, and staff and these views were considered to ensure continuous improvement. The service, where possible, worked in partnership with organisations to provide people with joined-up care.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.