Background to this inspection
Updated
25 May 2018
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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The 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. Before the inspection, we reviewed previous inspection reports and all other information we had received about the service, including notifications. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us.
During our inspection, we went to the Brunelcare North Somerset office. We spoke with the community services director, operations manager, regional community services manager and four staff members. After the inspection visit, we made phone calls to 13 people and relatives who received care and support from the service.
We looked at 12 people’s care and support records and six staff files. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service such as incident and accident records, meeting minutes, recruitment and training records, policies, audits and complaints.
Updated
25 May 2018
The previous registered manager had just left the service, however the community services manager was starting the process of registering themselves with the Commission. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the last inspection in February 2017, we rated the service as 'Requires Improvement'. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection by selecting the 'all reports' link for Brunelcare Domiciliary Care Services North Somerset on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
At this inspection, we found the provider had made the necessary improvements.
There were enough staff to carry out visits in a timely way and ensure people's needs were met.
The service had clear information about what decisions people could or could not make regarding their care.
People and relatives felt the service was safe. Policies and procedures were in place to keep people safe such as safeguarding, whistleblowing and health and safety. Staff were trained in safeguarding and understood the importance of acknowledging poor practice and reporting their concerns to the provider.
We found that safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.
Medicines were managed safely.
The provider had systems in place to record accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns.
Infection control procedures were followed. Staff had access to personal protective equipment. Plans were in place to cover emergency situations. The provider carried out assessments before planning support to meet people's individual needs.
Staff were trained in a range of subjects to meet the needs of the service. Staff were supported and received regular supervision. Referrals to health and social care professionals were made when necessary to ensure healthcare was monitored.
Staff provided support and guidance with nutritional needs when required.
Staff gained consent before any intervention with the person.
People and relatives felt staff were caring in their approach with people. Staffing rotas were developed to try to ensure staff had time to complete planned care without being rushed.
The culture within the service was one which promoted personalised care tailored to people's needs. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity ensuring their independence was promoted. Care plans were individualised and contained information on how to care for the person in a person centred way.
The provider used a variety of methods to gain information when developing care plans. For example, information from family members and health and social care professionals. The person and their relatives, if appropriate, were involved in how they preferred their care to be delivered.
The provider had a system and process in place to manage complaints.
The provider had a quality assurance process in place to ensure the quality of the care provided was monitored. People and relatives views and opinions were sought and used in the monitoring of the service.
The provider maintained links with and worked in partnership with organisations to ensure best practice and national guidance was incorporated into the quality of care provided. Staff felt the management team were open, approachable and supportive.