Background to this inspection
Updated
1 September 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
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.
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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 11 August 2022 and ended on 16 August 2022. We visited the office location on 11 and 12 August 2022.
What we did before the inspection
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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and one relative, about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, two directors and four care staff and received written feedback from another. We requested written feedback from two health and social care professionals, but did not get a response.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s support and care plans, daily monitoring charts and medicine administration records. We also looked at a range of records relating to the management and monitoring of the service. These included staffing rotas, three staff recruitment, supervision and training records, spot check observation records and a range of the providers quality assurance records, policies and procedures.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
Updated
1 September 2022
About the service
Visiting Angels East Dorset is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. At the time of this inspection seven people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care from the service. 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
Recent improvements had been made by the provider which ensured safe recruitment practices were followed. Appropriate checks were completed to ensure only suitable staff were employed. There was an ongoing process of staff recruitment to ensure people were supported safely and effectively. Staff received a thorough induction and were well supported through a programme of regular supervision and training.
Without exception people and their relatives told us they were very happy with the support they received from Visiting Angels East Dorset. People told us they liked their care givers and looked forward to their visits. People were kept informed of any changes and felt involved in their care. Staff knew people well and understood how they preferred their care and support to be delivered.
People had risk assessments completed for them. These were then used to develop person centred care plans which guided staff on how to care for people safely. Care plans were detailed and regularly up dated to ensure people received effective care and support. Staff received the training they needed to support people safely and liaised with health and social care professionals if they needed further guidance regarding people’s health.
People were protected from abuse and avoidable harm. People felt safe with staff, who had the appropriate training and skills to provide care safely and effectively.
Medicines were managed and administered safely. People were supported to take their medicines by staff who had received training to administer medicines.
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 received personalised care which was responsive to their individual needs. Staff had a good understanding of the care and support people needed and provided this with kindness and care, whilst respecting their privacy and dignity. People received their care from a small, consistent team of care staff who knew people’s care and support needs well.
The service involved people and their families in decisions about people’s day to day care and support needs. Relatives and people felt listened to and were consulted about how they preferred to receive their care and support.
People felt the service was well led, friendly and professional. Staff felt very well supported in their roles and spoke highly of the supportive and open approach taken by the management team.
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 21 June 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about the service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.