Background to this inspection
Updated
13 December 2016
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.
This was an announced inspection that took place on 16 November 2016. 48 hours’ notice of the inspection was given because the service is a domiciliary care agency and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also checked notifications made to us by the provider, safeguarding alerts raised regarding people using the service and information we held on our database about the service and provider.
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
There were two people using the service. During the inspection we spoke with both of them, a friend, two staff and the registered manager.
Whilst visiting the office premises we looked at copies of two people’s care plans. Copies of care plans were kept in the office as well as in people’s homes. Information recorded included needs assessments, risk assessments, feedback from people using the service, staff training, supervision and appraisal systems and quality assurance.
Updated
13 December 2016
This was an announced inspection that took place on 16 November 2016.
Royal Mencap Society - Edenbridge is registered to provide personal care. They support a small number of adults with learning disabilities who live in their own tenancies in the Edenbridge and Uckfield areas with their personal care and other needs. The domiciliary agency also provides practical day to day support to a larger group of people with learning disabilities in an outreach or supported living capacity.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the previous inspection on 6 February 2014, the agency met the regulations.
People and a friend said the service provided was what people needed. The support they received was flexible to meet people’s needs and the designated tasks were carried out satisfactorily and on time. People thought the service provided was safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.
The records were kept up to date and covered all aspects of the care and support people received, their choices and identified and met their needs. They were clearly recorded, fully completed, and contained regularly reviewed information that enabled staff to perform their duties.
Staff where knowledgeable about the people they were providing a service for and the way the people liked to be supported. Staff provided care and support in a professional and friendly way that was focussed on the individual and they had appropriate skills to do so. Staff had received induction and refresher training that enabled them to carry out their tasks.
If required people were encouraged to discuss with the manager and staff, any health and other needs that may affect the way support was provided. Agreed information was passed on to GP’s and other community based health professionals, if appropriate. If required staff were available to protect people from nutrition and hydration associated risks by giving advice about healthy food options and balanced diets. This was whilst still making sure people’s meal likes, dislikes and preferences were met.
The agency staff knew about the Mental Capacity Act and their responsibilities regarding it.
People told us the office, management team and organisation were approachable, responsive, encouraged feedback and monitored and assessed the quality of the service provided.