Background to this inspection
Updated
2 November 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.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
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.
What we did before 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 (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 one person who used the service, two relatives of a person who used the service, and one friend of a person who used the service. We also spoke with two staff members, the manager, and the care coordinator. We looked at a range of documents including care plans, staff recruitment files, and training records.
Updated
2 November 2022
About the service
Comfort Living Care Services Ltd is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, six people were receiving this service.
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 protected from the risk of abuse and neglect and risks to people's health were assessed to reduce risks. There were enough staff to provide safe care to people in their homes.
Medicines were safely administered. Staff followed infection control policies and procedures, including COVID-19 guidance to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Systems were in place to ensure that accidents and incidents were recorded and acted upon.
People had their needs assessed prior to receiving personal care. Staff were inducted effectively into the service and trained. Staff received regular supervision to develop their roles. Where needed, people were supported with their meals and to maintain a balanced diet. Referrals were made to other health and social care professionals as and when required.
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 and their relatives were listened to and were able to make decisions about their care. Staff were kind, caring and respectful. Care was provided in a dignified and respectful way.
People's received person-centred care. People were able to make choices about the way they wanted their care to be provided. A complaints policy and system were in place so that any complaints could be dealt with appropriately. People felt able to raise concerns with staff and management if needed.
The management team had a good understanding of the regulatory requirements of their roles. People's feedback on the quality of care was sought. People told us they felt the service was well managed, and communication was good. Systems were in place to monitor and check on all areas of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 14 September 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.