Background to this inspection
Updated
20 February 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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
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. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. We also wanted time to obtain contact details of people who used the service and relatives, where appropriate.
Inspection activity started on 23 January 2020 and ended on 24 January 2020. We visited the office location on 24 January 2020.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration and we sought feedback from the local authority. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, managing director and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records, and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at rotas, training and supervision information and some policies.
Updated
20 February 2020
About the service
Right at Home South Liverpool is a domiciliary care agency providing care to people living in their own homes, so they can live as independently as possible. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting five people with personal care.
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 told us they received their medicines on time and as prescribed. Medication audits were completed regularly and identified any areas of improvement. However, there was no guidance for staff on how and when to administer medication prescribed ‘as required’. We made a recommendation about this.
Risks to people's health and wellbeing were assessed and plans were in place to monitor people and to assist them in a safe manner. Staff knew how to support people safely, including the use of equipment to assist them to move. Staff were supported and trained to ensure they had the skills to support people effectively. They understood how to protect people from harm and were confident any concerns they raised, would be reported and investigated by the management team. Staff had been recruited safely and there were enough staff to effectively meet the current packages of care which supported people's needs.
People told us they had good relationships with the staff that supported them. People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff supported people to be as independent as possible and express their views about the service and their care. People and relatives told us the service was person-centred.
The registered manager, managing director and staff strived to provide safe care and support. The team worked well with other healthcare professionals to ensure the service responded to people's changing needs safely and effectively.
The management team continually looked for ways to improve people's lives. Staff culture was positive, and the team was caring. This had resulted in the provision of compassionate and personalised care. The service had a clear management and staffing structure in place. Staff worked well as a team and had a sense of pride working at the service. The provider had effective quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.
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 were involved in their assessment and care planning and were asked for their feedback of the service. This helped to support the development of the service. There was a complaints procedure and any received were investigated and responded to.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 25 January 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the registration date.
Follow up
We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.