Background to this inspection
Updated
23 November 2023
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by 1 inspector and 1 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 care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 14 November 2023 and ended on 16 November 2023. We visited the location’s office on 14 November 2023.
What we did before the inspection
We sought feedback from the local authority and healthcare professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the registered manager and operations support manager. We spoke to 3 office coordinators, a regional recruitment lead, a compliance and engagement officer and 4 staff. We spoke with 12 people receiving support and 7 relatives.
We reviewed 4 people's support records, including the administration of medicines. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment, and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.
We asked the registered manager to send us documents after the on-site inspection. These were provided in a timely manner and this evidence was included as part of our inspection.
Updated
23 November 2023
About the service
Springfield Healthcare (Darlington) is a domiciliary care agency based in Darlington. It provides personal care and other additional support to people living in their own homes throughout the Darlington area. It provides a service to older adults, younger disabled adults and children with a wide range of health and social care needs including physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health needs and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 188 people receiving a service.
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 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.
Risks to people's health, safety and well-being were effectively managed. Medicines were administered safely. The provider had effective infection prevention and control systems in place.
The provider had recruitment processes in place to ensure suitable staff were employed. People told us they felt safe when receiving support from staff. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
People told us staff generally arrived on time and staff had the right skills to support them. People's needs were assessed prior to the commencement of the service. The assessment included people's health, physical, emotional and communication needs. Care provided was personalised and supported people’s preferences and wishes. Care plans had been reviewed regularly to ensure they were accurate.
People and staff spoke positively about the management of the service and their openness to feedback. The management team was approachable, maintained regular communication, and listened to the views of others.
Systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service were in place. The provider was open to improvement and listened and acted on feedback.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was rated good (published 30 May 2018).
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.