Background to this inspection
Updated
8 January 2020
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
Our inspection was completed by one inspector and an 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
This service is a domiciliary nursing agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own flats within Elles House.
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
This inspection was announced. We gave the service one days’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and the registered manager often delivers personal care to people. We wanted to make sure someone would be available to meet with us.
The inspection site visit took place on 5 December 2019.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as allegations of abuse. We checked for feedback we received from members of the public, the local authority and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people using the service and three relatives. We spoke with the registered manager, a duty supervisor and a care and support worker. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. One staff member had been recruited since our last inspection who remained in employment, so we reviewed their recruitment records. We also reviewed records relating to staff training and support. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were also reviewed.
Updated
8 January 2020
About the service
YourLife (Wallington) provides personal care for people who live in their own, privately owned, flats at Elles House. At the time of this inspection the service was providing personal care to six people. Most people required minimal support from staff to meet their personal care needs.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider recruited staff who were suitable to work with people and people using the service were involved in staff recruitment. Although there were some staff vacancies this did not affect the care people received as shifts were filled through overtime. The provider assessed risks relating to people’s care and put in place guidance for staff to follow to reduce the risks. Medicines management systems were robust and the provider checked each week that people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff followed suitable practices to reduce the risks of infection when caring for people.
Staff received a suitable induction, regular training and supervision to help them understand their role. Most people did not require support from staff in relation to their healthcare needs. However, the registered manager ensured staff were aware of any support needs as these were set out in people’s care plans. Staff understood people’s needs and preferences relating to eating and drinking and people could dine at the restaurant on-site run by a different provider. 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 and relatives liked the staff who provided support and described them positively. People received consistency of care from the small number of staff who worked for the service. Care was personalised to meet people’s needs and preferences. Some people received social and emotional support from staff. People could access group activities at Elles House. The provider could provide information to people in alternative formats to meet people’s communication needs. The provider had a suitable process in place to respond to any concerns or complaints.
A registered manager was in post who understood their role and responsibilities, as did staff. People, relatives and staff told us the service was well-led and the provider had systems to gather people’s views and experiences. The provider had good oversight of the service and worked with other professionals to ensure people received the care they required.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and follow up
The last rating for this service was good (report published June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
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.