Background to this inspection
Updated
30 April 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: The inspection was completed by one inspector and one Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type: Elder Years Care Limited provides a domiciliary care service for people living in their own homes. It provides a service to older adults.
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 visit as we wanted to ensure someone was at the office location.
Inspection activity started on 27 March 2019 and ended on 2 April 2019.
What we did: We visited the site registered office on 27 March 2019 to meet with the registered manager and senior staff, we also undertook telephone interviews with people and their relatives. We reviewed care records, policies and procedures. We undertook further telephone interviews with staff on 2 April.
We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is key information providers are required to send about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We looked at notifications received from the service. A notification is a record about important events, which the provider is required to send us by law.
We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who worked with the service.
During the inspection we spoke with four people who used the service via telephone, two people’s relatives, the registered manager, two senior support workers and one care worker.
We looked at a selection of records which included;
• Two care and support plans.
• Three people's medication administration records.
• Staff recruitment, training and supervision records for three staff.
• Records of accidents, incidents, complaints and compliments.
• Audits and quality assurance reports.
• Records of management and provider meetings.
Updated
30 April 2019
About the service: Elder years care Limited provides care and support for people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection there was 25 people receiving personal care from the service.
People’s experience of using this service: People and their relatives told us they were happy with the care and support they received from Elder Years Care Limited. One person said, “I think it is a well-run company. I would happily recommend it to others.”
People received their care from a small consistent staff team who they could build trusting relationships with. Everyone told us staff were caring and patient. One person said, “The staff always turn up and I have never had a missed call. They stay the full time and there is never any rush. They are very tidy and respect my home. I have the same carers which is nice because you get to know them.”
People were supported by staff who had the skills and experience to help them to maintain and develop their independence. Staff treated people as individuals and respected their privacy and lifestyle choices.
The provider ensured people received a safe service with systems and processes in place which helped to minimise risks. Staff effectively reported any safeguarding matters. The registered manager investigated and resolved any concerns. All incidents were critically analysed, lessons were learnt and embedded into practice.
People were involved in decisions about the care they received, and staff knew how to communicate with each person to help them to make choices.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Medicines systems ensured people were receiving their medicines when they should. The provider was following national guidance for medication arrangements.
The provider was open and approachable which enabled people to share their views and raise concerns. People told us if they were worried about anything they would be comfortable to talk with a member of staff or the provider.
The management structure in the service ensured people and staff had access to, and support throughout the day and night.
The provider monitored quality, acted quickly when change was required, sought people's views and planned ongoing improvements.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good (Last report published 19 August 2016).
Why we inspected: We inspected the service as part of our inspection schedule for ‘Good’ rated services.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.