Background to this inspection
Updated
30 March 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.
Inspection team
This 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 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 9 March 2022 and ended on 16 March 2022. We visited the location’s office on 9 March 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. 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 all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people and three relatives about their experiences of care and support received from this service. We spoke with four members of staff and the registered manager.
We reviewed care and support records for four people including medication records. We reviewed recruitment files for two members of staff. We reviewed management records such as quality audits, complaints, incident and accident monitoring and staffing rotas.
After the inspection
We continued to validate evidence found. We reviewed a range of policies and procedures for the service.
Updated
30 March 2022
About the service
Atwell Care Limited is a small domiciliary care agency providing personal care to 17 people at the time of the inspection in their own homes and/or flats. 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 their medicines as prescribed. Systems were in place to help people to manage their medicines. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and risk assessments put in place where needed. People and their relatives told us they felt safe with staff from the service and there was enough staff to meet their needs.
There had been staffing challenges, but the provider had put in place measures to mitigate risks. Any gaps in staffing rotas were covered by office staff who had received required training and competency checks that enabled them to deliver care. Staff were recruited safely, and the registered manager was trying different recruitment initiatives to attract new staff.
New Staff received an induction and ongoing training when needed. Training covered a variety of areas to make sure staff were effective in their roles. Staff had supervision regularly and told us they were supported.
People told us there was a continuity of care with staff they knew well. They told us staff were reliable and caring.
People had a care plan recording all their needs, wishes and preferences. There was a range of information recorded which staff had access to. Staff recorded daily notes following all visits, outlining what care and support had been provided. We observed recording entries were respectful and legible.
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.
Systems for quality monitoring were in place. Checks were being regularly completed to make sure procedures were being followed. Where any actions were identified the registered manager monitored them until completed. Regular spot check were carried out to monitor the delivery of care. The registered manager was hands on delivering care and support which enabled them to talk to people regularly for their views and feedback.
Staff had been trained in infection prevention and control and had safe systems of work in place. Personal protective equipment was made available for staff and systems were in place for staff to regularly test for COVID-19.
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 29 July 2020 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service under the previous provider was good, published on 31 July 2019.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on our inspection schedule.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.