4 August 2014
During a routine inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which looks at the overall quality of the service.
Jays Homecare Limited is a home care agency providing personal care to people living in their own home. The service supports more than 300 people who live in the London Boroughs of Enfield and Brent.
We inspected Jays Homecare Limited on 4 August 2014. The inspection was announced, we gave the provider 48 hours’ notice. During our last inspection on 12 August 2013 the provider was not in breach of the regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 we inspected.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider. The registered manager was not present during our inspection on 4 August 2014, we were assisted by two care co-ordinators during this inspection.
Most people told us that they were extremely satisfied with the care they received. They told us that care workers were usually on time for their visits and if they were late would contact them immediately. They told us that they felt “safe” and care workers were “caring and understanding”. They also told us that care workers “are experienced and know their job well.”
Recruitment checks were carried out to protect people from the risks of employing unsuitable staff. Staff demonstrated good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and gave practice examples in how they would support a person who lacked capacity.
Staff were up to date with their mandatory training. Regular unannounced spot-checks were carried out on care workers to evaluate their care practices. An out of hours on call system ensured that management support and advice was available for care workers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
People received safe care and care workers had detailed risk management plans to follow to help to ensure people were protected from injury and harm.
People’s health and care needs were assessed and care plans were put in place to help staff to deliver the care people needed and to keep them safe. However, care plans were of different standard across the two boroughs. Care plans for people who used the service in one area were basic and not always person centred compared with the other area.
All care workers we spoke with demonstrated a good understanding of people’s care needs, likes and dislikes, preferences and routines. They also understood the provider’s safeguarding procedures and could explain how they would protect people if they had any concerns.
Care was designed to be flexible. People who used the service and care workers told us the service accommodated last-minute changes and responded to their requests.
Care workers and care co-ordinators told us that the registered manager provided strong leadership and people using the service, their relatives and care workers we spoke with told us that the agency promoted a high standard of care.