Archived: Soma Healthcare Ltd (West London)

Updated 13 February 2018

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.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 11 January 2018 and was announced.

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with two people who used the service, one relative, one care worker, the senior care coordinator, the new manager and the head of care services.

We looked at four care plans, three staff employment and training records and other records relevant to the management of the agency.

Updated 13 February 2018

Soma Healthcare Ltd (West London) is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. It provides a service to older adults and younger disabled adults. During our inspection the agency provided personal care to 12 people.

At the last inspection on 21 January 2016, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Systems, processes and practice ensured that people who used the service were safeguarded from abuse. Risk in relation to personal care was minimised, personal and environmental risk factors were assessed and risk management plans were formulated together with people who used the service or relatives. The registered provider followed safe recruitment practices, which ensured only staff suitable to work with vulnerable people were employed. The agency does not administer medicines to people who used the service. However, in some instances care workers will prompt people who used the service to take their medicines. Appropriate policies and procedures and staff training ensured that this was done safely. Care workers had access to appropriate protective equipment to minimise the risk of spreading infections. The agency recorded and documented incidents and accidents and took actions to minimise the risk of similar events from reoccurring.

Detailed needs assessments were carried out to ensure the agency could meet people’s needs. Care workers received support and training to make sure they had the skill, knowledge and experience to deliver personal care effectively. Where people required support with their meals, this had been recorded and documented in their care records. The agency had good relationships with external professionals such as social workers and would advocate on people’s behalf if their needs were not met. Equipment was assessed as part of the assessment process and if equipment was not suitable action was taken to provide the correct one. 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.

People told us care workers treated them with dignity, kindness and respect. People and their relatives were involved in making decisions about the care they received.

Care was planned in a person-centred way and regular reviews of care plans ensured that people’s changing needs were met. People who used the service were encouraged to raise concerns, which were investigated and responded to appropriately. The agency did not provide end of life care.

A new manager had recently commenced employment and the application to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) had been sent to the CQC. During the time of the registered manager's absence the agency was managed by an experienced care coordinator with support from the head of care services. Care workers and people told us that the management was supportive and listened to concerns or suggestions made. Effective quality monitoring ensured care was assessed and improvements to the quality of care were made.

Further information is in the detailed findings below