Danum Homecare Ltd

Updated 19 November 2019

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 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 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.

Inspection activity started on 15 October 2019 and ended on 17 October 2019. We visited the office location on the 15 October 2019. Telephone calls to people and their relatives took place on the 16 and 17 October 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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 of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 16 members of staff including the registered manager, care co-ordinators, senior care workers, care workers, trainer and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people’s care records and medication records. We looked at five 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 attempted to contact 22 people who used the service. We spoke with eight people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided.

Updated 19 November 2019

About the service

Danum Homecare is a domiciliary care agency which provides personal care to people in the Doncaster and Wakefield areas. At the time of the inspection they were delivering care and support to approximately 280 people in their own homes.

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

Risks associated with people’s care and support had been identified and actions had been taken to keep people safe from harm. Staff we spoke with confirmed they had received training in safeguarding and knew what action to take if they felt people were being abused. Staff confirmed that they had been safely recruited and pre-employment checks were carried out prior to them commencing employment. Accidents and incidents were analysed, and trends and patterns were identified. Medicines were managed in a safe way to ensure people received them as prescribed.

People’s needs were assessed, and care plans were in line with their preferences and choices. Staff told us they received support, induction and training to ensure they had the skills to carry out their role. However, training was not always clearly documented. People were supported with meal preparation where required. People had access to healthcare professionals.

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.

Staff we spoke with told us how they respected people and ensured their privacy and dignity was maintained. People were involved in the planning of their care and were able to make decisions about the support they received.

Care plans were organised and easy to follow detailing people’s needs and how these were to be met. People were supported in line with their needs and preferences. People who used the service had access to a complaints procedure and were encouraged to make complaints where required. Complaints were followed up and responded to in line with the providers policy. We also saw many people complimented the service.

The provider was thoughtful and compassionate about how they supported people receiving end of life care. The registered manager was trained in this area and identified appropriate staff to support people at this time. Where staff have expressed an interest in end of life care, training opportunities are available.

Care was planned in a way that promoted people’s independence. The provider had a range of methods in place to monitor the service delivery. Staff were complimentary about the support they received from the management team and commented on how approachable they were.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (Published June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.