Background to this inspection
Updated
21 September 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 checked 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 was an announced inspection and took place on 15 and 17 August 2018. 48 hours’ notice of the inspection was given because the service is a domiciliary care agency and the registered manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). The PIR 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 also checked notifications made to us by the provider, safeguarding alerts raised regarding people living at home and information we held on our database about the service and provider.
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
There were 14 people receiving a registered service and 18 staff. During the inspection, we spoke to four people and seven staff. We also spoke with the registered manager and office team during the office visit.
We looked at four people’s care plans and four staff files. We also checked records, policies and procedures and quality assurance systems.
Updated
21 September 2018
This was an announced inspection that took place on 15 and 17 August 2018.
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. The service also provides care and support to people living in ‘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 is located in the Ewell area and covers mid surrey. A service is provided for people who misuse drugs or alcohol, those dementia, learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, people with an eating disorder and mental health issues.
This was the first inspection since the service was registered.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were very pleased with the service the agency provided and way it was delivered by staff.
Clear, thorough and up to date records were kept that recorded the care and support people received, the choices they had made and identified if they were met. The records were regularly reviewed and enabled staff to perform their duties.
Staff had been made aware of their responsibilities towards the people they provided a service to, the tasks they performed and knew how people liked to be supported. Staff had appropriate skills and training that enabled them to care for and support people in a professional, compassionate and kind way.
Staff were also aware that they must treat people equally and respect their diversity and human rights. People told us they felt fairly treated.
Staff said the organisation was an excellent place to work, they enjoyed their work and had access to good training and support that meant they could perform their duties well.
People were encouraged by the registered manager and staff to discuss any health and other needs and agreed information was passed on to community based health professionals.
Staff protected people from nutrition and hydration associated risks by being given advice about healthy food options whilst still making sure people’s likes, dislikes and preferences were met.
The agency was aware of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and their responsibilities regarding it.
The quality of the service provided was consistently monitored and assessed by the agency who were approachable, responsive and encouraged feedback from people.
The health care professionals that we contacted were happy with the support that the agency provided for people.