Background to this inspection
Updated
12 November 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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care for people living in their own houses and flats. This includes older people, people with dementia, people with a physical disability, and learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. The service was given 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 30 September and ended on 21 October 2022. We visited the provider’s office on 7 October 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed all the information we had received about the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection. 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 took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke in person with the registered manager. We contacted and spoke with one person using the service, and three staff to get their experience and views about the care provided. We reviewed a range of records that included one person’s risk assessments and care plan. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. We checked a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, policies and procedures. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We requested additional evidence to be sent to us after our inspection. This included a training matrix and audits. We received the information which was used as part of our inspection.
Updated
12 November 2022
About the service
Dirie Care Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing care and support to people in their own homes and flats. At the time of the inspection one person using the service was receiving personal care.
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. At the time of the inspection one person using the service was receiving personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
A safe service was provided for the person using the service and staff had a safe environment to work in. There were suitable numbers of appropriately recruited staff employed to meet the person’s needs. This meant they were supported to enjoy their life and live safely. The person had risks to themselves assessed, monitored and recorded by the provider and staff who updated records as required. There was a system for recording, investigating and reporting accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns appropriately. Staff received appropriate training in how to safely administer medicines, and prompt people to take their medicines, as needed. During the inspection no one using the service received direct support with the administration of medicines. Infection control training was provided for staff and procedures were followed.
One person told us that effective care was provided, they did not experience discrimination and their equality and diversity needs were met. Staff were well-trained and supervised. They also said that staff gave good care that met their needs and was focused on them. The person was encouraged by staff to discuss their health needs, and any changes to them or concerns were passed on to appropriate community-based health care professionals. This would include any necessary transitioning of services if the person’s needs changed. The person was protected by staff from nutrition and hydration risks, and they were encouraged to choose healthy and balanced diets that also met their likes, dislikes and preferences.
The person said that the staff approach to the way they provided care and support was friendly and paid attention to small details that made all the difference. The person’s right to privacy, dignity and confidentiality was acknowledged by staff, and they felt respected. The person was encouraged and supported, by staff, to be independent and do things for themselves, wherever possible. This improved their quality of life and promoted their self-worth. Staff were compassionate and cared about the person they provided a service to.
The provider was responsive to the person’s needs and assessed, reviewed and appropriately adjusted their care plans as required. This included any communication needs. The person was provided by staff, with person-centred care and they were given choices and encouraged to follow their routines, interests and maintain contact with friends and relatives so that social isolation was minimised. The person and their relatives were given enough appropriate information about the service to make their own decisions regarding whether they wished to use it. Complaints were recorded and investigated.
The provider had a culture that was open, positive and had a clearly identified leadership and management structure. The provider vision and values were clearly defined, and staff understood and followed them. They were also aware of their responsibilities and accountability. Staff were prepared to raise any concerns they may have with the provider and take responsibility. The provider regularly reviewed service quality, and any required changes were made to improve the care and support people received. This was carried out in a way that best suited the person. The provider had established effective working partnerships that promoted the needs of the person being met outside its remit. Registration requirements were met.
The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their life 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.
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 18 August 2021 and this is the first inspection.
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.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Dirie Care Ltd on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.