Background to this inspection
Updated
25 October 2019
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 inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in four ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
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
We gave the service 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 25 September 2019 and ended on 27 September 2019. We visited the office location on 26 September 2019.
What we did before the inspection
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 spoke to four people who receive personal care from the provider. People were supported during the calls by staff if they requested it. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, two service managers and three support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four 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.
After the inspection
We spoke with three relatives on the telephone. We sought feedback from two professionals who had a working relationship with the service.
Updated
25 October 2019
About the service
East Sussex Dom Care Agency is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to 14 people at the time of the inspection. East Sussex Domiciliary Care Agency is owned by the Royal Mencap Society. The provider registered this service with us to provide personal care and support for people with learning disabilities. East Sussex Dom Care Agency provide personal care to supported living housing schemes in Hastings, St Leonards and Eastbourne.
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 protected from avoidable harm and abuse. Safeguarding policies and procedures
were embedded within practice and were consistently followed. Staff had recognised signs of abuse and had recorded their concerns.
People told us they were happy with the care they received, and that staff helped them to feel safe. Risk assessments and care plans were comprehensive and guided staff in how to provide care safely and in the way the person preferred. There were enough suitable staff employed to cover all the care visits. People said they received their calls on time and for the duration that they expected. Staff supported people to have their prescribed medicines safely.
People were supported to ensure their healthcare needs were met. One relative said, “They’re very sharp if there’s anything wrong and they support her with all appointments.” People were encouraged to live healthy lives and received food of their choice.
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.
People received kind and compassionate care. People’s independence was promoted by staff. People were treated with respect and dignity and supported to make decisions about their care.
The service applied the principles and values the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People received personalised care that was tailored to meet their individual needs, preferences and choices. Care plans were detailed and guided staff about people's needs and how to meet them. People’s concerns and complaints were listened to and used to improve the service they received. Staff had training and experience to provide end of life support when people needed it.
The registered manager and service managers were well regarded and had a clear vision for the service which was understood by the staff and embedded within their practice. There were effective quality assurance systems in place that were used to drive service improvements. People, their relatives and staff were asked for their feedback about the home and meetings were held regularly.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good. (published 29 December 2016).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.