Updated 4 October 2022
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
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.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service a short period of notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 31 August 2022 and ended on 1 September 2022. We visited the location’s office on 31 August 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We looked at the information we had received from and about the provider since it was registered with us.
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 information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on 8 April 2022 to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements.
We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and four relatives. We also spoke with three members of staff.
The registered manager was not available at the time of the inspection, but the provider’s nominated individual was present for the inspection and feedback. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
During the inspection we looked at a variety of records relating to people’s individual care and the running of the service. These included; four care and support plans, four staff files, staff training information and records of complaints made.