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AGE UK OXFORDSHIRE - Foot Care Home Service

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

9 Napier Court, Barton Lane, Abingdon, OX14 3YT 0345 450 1276

Provided and run by:
Age UK Oxfordshire

Latest inspection summary

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Background to this inspection

Updated 19 November 2021

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.

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 (foot and nail care service) 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

This inspection was announced and the inspection activity started on 4 October 2021 and ended on 25 October 2021. We visited the office location on 25 October 2021.

We gave the service two working days’ notice of the inspection. This was because the registered manager worked part-time and we needed to be sure they would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the service was registered. This also included information we requested prior to the site visit, such as a sample of policies and procedures, staff handbook and the welcome pack new people receive. We spoke with five people who used the service and a sixth person emailed their views about the service. Two people and one relative also completed the online Care Quality Commission ‘Give feedback on care’ form. One relative emailed us with their experiences of the service. We received feedback from three members of staff.

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 the registered manager and Human Resources (HR) manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s assessments. We looked at two 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 observation records of staff practice, an action plan and quality assurance records.

Overall inspection

Good

Updated 19 November 2021

About the service

AGE UK OXFORDSHIRE - Foot Care Home Service provided a foot and nail care service to 68 people aged 50 and over at the time of the inspection. They do not carry out any other personal care tasks when visiting people.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People spoke positively about the service. They were happy that the toe nail cutting service was in their own homes and they confirmed they had the same staff member visit them.

People felt in control of how they wanted their toe nails to be cut and could request a visit more often if the usual home visit of every eight weeks did not meet their needs. People knew how to raise a complaint and would contact the office to give feedback.

People's needs were assessed prior to the commencement of the service. The assessment included people's health and physical needs. 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 spoke highly of the staff who visited them, confirming they were kind and caring. Relatives were happy with the service and had no complaints.

Staff received training that enabled them to perform well in their roles and told us they were supported and could share ideas with their line manager. The provider had procedures in place that guided staff how to escalate any safeguarding concerns.

Quality assurance audits took place on different aspects of the service to ensure people received a safe service.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively. We had no concerns with infection control measures. Staff had access to personal protective equipment and people confirmed staff wore this when visiting them.

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 19/03/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as the service had been registered with the Care Quality Commission for over 12 months.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.