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Here2Care (Dartford)

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Suites 3.1, 3.3 & 4.2, First Floor office Suite, 3-5 Sandpit Road, Dartford, DA1 5BU (01322) 225513

Provided and run by:
Here to Care Limited

All Inspections

5 November 2020

During an inspection looking at part of the service

About the service

Here2Care (Dartford) is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people in their own homes in Dartford, Gravesend and surrounding areas. Here2Care (Dartford) also provide support to people living in Extra Care Housing. 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. At the time of inspection there were 187 people using the service, of which, 175 people received support with personal care. This included twenty people living in an Extra Care Housing, including older people, people who live with dementia and people with a physical disability.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Feedback from people and relatives was positive. People told us they, “Felt safe and had good relationships with the staff that visit them.” One relative told us, “I have had no worries at all during the Covid-19 pandemic that my [relative] has not been safe.” And, “My [relative] is never rushed and the [staff] are all so kind to him.”

People were protected from the risk of abuse, with staff able to recognise the signs and different types and knew what actions to take to keep people safe. Concerns were raised when needed with guidance in place to manage this effectively. People were supported with their medicines as prescribed and staff competency was checked to ensure they knew how to complete this safely. There were adequate numbers of staff to ensure people’s needs were met and the provider had safe recruitment procedures in place. There was clear oversight of accident and incidents, when these had occurred, action was taken to reduce any risk of reoccurrence. Staff ensured risks of infection to people were minimised.

Feedback from staff and people was actively sought and analysed. There was a clear and open culture of learning from past mistakes and concerns.

Quality monitoring systems had improved and where issues were identified they were acted upon. The service is using a new electronic call monitoring system to reduce the risk of any missed or severely delayed care visits. The service worked in partnership with other agencies to provide good outcomes for people.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published 7 February 2020) and there were three breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

Why we inspected

We carried out an announced inspection of this service on 5 November 2020. At last inspection there were three breaches of regulation in relation to Safe care and treatment (Regulation 12) Staffing (Regulation 18) and Good Governance (Regulation 17) The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when they would improve.

We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions of Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements.

The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Here2Care (Dartford) on our website at www.cqc.org.uk

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.

20 December 2019

During a routine inspection

About the service

Here2care (Dartford) is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people in their own homes in Dartford, Gravesend and surrounding areas. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care for 201 people. This included older people, people living with dementia and people with a learning or physical disability.

People's experience of using this service

Medicines were not safely managed. Medicine administration record (MAR) charts were not completed in full, they included gaps without any explanations. Risks were not always identified and assessed. Risk management plans did not always guide staff on how risks should be minimised. Staff did not always attend calls at scheduled times to provide timely care. Care plans were not always updated to show a change in people needs. The provider did not have effective processes in place to monitor the quality of the service as they had not identified the issues we found at this inspection.

People said they felt safe and that their needs were met. There were appropriate safeguarding systems in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. People were protected against the risk of infection. There were systems in place to manage accidents and incidents. The provider carried out robust recruitment checks prior to employing staff.

Staff were supported through regular training and supervisions. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported to eat a healthy and well-balanced diet if required. People had access to healthcare services when required to maintain good health and their independence was promoted.

People and their relatives where appropriate, had been consulted about their care and support needs. There was an effective complaints system to manage people concerns in a timely manner. The provider worked in partnership with the local authority to ensure people's individual needs were planned.

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was Good (published 28 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating

Enforcement

We found three breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 in relation to risk management, staffing and good governance.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

10 May 2017

During a routine inspection

Here2care (Dartford) provides personal care and support to people in their own homes in Dartford, Gravesend and surrounding areas. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care for around 200 people. This included older people, people living with dementia and people with a learning or physical disability.

At the last inspection on 12 and 13 March 2015, the service was rated Good.

At this inspection on 10th May 2017, the service remained Good.

The service was run by a registered manager who was present on the day of our visit. 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.

People trusted staff and therefore felt safe whilst being supported by them. Staff continued to receive training in how to safeguard people. They knew what signs to look out for which would cause concern and how to report them so the appropriate action could be taken to help keep them safe.

Comprehensive employment checks were carried out on all potential staff at the service, to ensure that they were suitable for their role. There was on-going recruitment to ensure staff were available in sufficient numbers.

Assessments of potential risks had been undertaken in relation to the environment that people lived and worked in and in relation to people’s personal care needs. This included potential risks involved in moving and handling people, supporting people with their personal care needs and with managing medicines. Guidance was in place for staff to follow to make sure that any risks were minimised.

A medicines policy was in place to guide staff. Staff received training in the administration and storage of medicines and a system was in place to regularly check they had the knowledge and competence to manage people’s medicines safely.

New staff received an induction which ensured that they had the skills they required, before they started to support people in their own homes. Staff continued to undertake face to face training in essential areas, their practice was observed and they shadowed senior staff to ensure they were competent. People said that staff had the skills and knowledge they needed to support them.

People said staff asked for their consent before supporting them with their care. Staff had undertaken training in The Mental Capacity Act (MCA). The MCA provides the legal framework to assess people’s capacity to make certain decisions, at a certain time. When people are assessed as not having the capacity to make a decision, a best interest decision is made involving people who know the person well and other professionals, where relevant.

People’s health care and nutrition needs had been assessed and clear guidance was in place for staff to follow, to ensure that their specific health care needs were met. Staff continued to liaise with health professionals when appropriate.

Staff were consistently kind and patient and treated people with dignity and respect. Staff had developed relationships with people and involved them in decisions about their care and support.

People’s care, treatment and support needs were assessed and a plan of care was developed jointly with the person, which included their likes and dislikes. Individual guidance was in place for staff to follow to meet people’s needs.

People were informed of their right to raise any concerns about the service and action was taken to investigate and endeavour to resolve them to people’s satisfaction.

There continued to be robust systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service, which included asking people about their experiences. The registered manager had sustained an open and positive culture and staff knew how to put the aims and values of the service into practice so people received personalised care. Feedback from people was that most people were satisfied or more than satisfied with the service they received.

12 and 13 March 2015

During a routine inspection

The inspection was announced and was carried out on 12 and 13 March 2015 by two inspectors and supported by two experts by experience.

Here2Care (Dartford) is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes in and around Rochester Kent. The service provides support for people in their own homes in the Dartford and Gravesham areas. The people using the service are older people, people living with dementia, physical and learning disabilities or mental health difficulties.

At the last inspection on 06 May 2014, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to people’s care plans; the management and recording of the administration of medicines; and the monitoring system to assess the quality of service people received. We received an action plan stating that all remedial action would be completed by 07 November 2014. During this inspection we found that this action had been completed.

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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Staff were trained in how to protect people from abuse and harm. They knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report any concerns.

Risk assessments were centred on the needs of the individual. They included clear measures to reduce identified risks and guidance for staff to follow to make sure people were protected from harm. Accidents and incidents were recorded and monitored to identify how risks of re-occurrence could be reduced.

There were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to meet people's needs. Staffing levels were calculated according to people’s changing needs. The manager followed safe recruitment practices.

Staff were trained in the safe administration of medicines. Records relevant to the administration of medicines were monitored to ensure they were accurately kept and medicines were administered safely to people according to their needs.

Staff knew each person well and understood how to meet their support needs. Each person’s needs and personal preferences had been assessed before care was provided and were continually reviewed. This ensured that the staff could provide care in a way that met people’s particular needs and wishes.

Staff had completed the training they needed to care for people in a safe way. They had the opportunity to receive further training specific to the needs of the people they supported. All members of care staff received regular one to one supervision sessions and were scheduled for an annual appraisal.

All care staff and management were trained in the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and were knowledgeable about the requirements of the legislation. People’s mental capacity was assessed and meetings were held in their best interest when appropriate.

Staff sought and obtained people’s consent before they provided care. When people declined, their wishes were respected and staff reported this to the manager so that people’s refusals were recorded and monitored.

Staff provided meals when this was part of the support needed and ensured meals were well balanced to promote people’s health. Staff knew about and provided for people’s dietary preferences and restrictions.

People told us that staff communicated effectively with them, responded to their needs promptly and treated them with kindness and respect. People were satisfied with how their care and treatment was delivered.

Clear information about the service, the management, the facilities, and how to complain was provided to people. Information was available in a format that met people’s needs when they had visual impairment.

People’s privacy was respected and people were assisted with their personal care needs in a way that respected their dignity.

People were referred to health care professionals when needed and in a timely way. Personal records included people’s individual plans of care, likes and dislikes and preferred activities. They encouraged people to do as much as possible for themselves.

People’s individual assessments and care plans were reviewed regularly with their participation or their representatives’ involvement. People’s care plans were updated when their needs changed to make sure they received the care and support they needed. A person told us, “A care advisor comes out and goes through the care plan with us, it is very detailed and I am very happy with this. She makes any changes that are necessary”.

The provider took account of people’s complaints, comments and suggestions. People’s views were sought and acted upon. The provider sent questionnaires regularly to people, their legal representatives and stakeholders. The results were analysed and action was taken in response to people’s views.

Staff told us they felt valued and supported under the manager’s leadership. There was honesty and transparency from staff and management when mistakes occurred. The manager notified the Care Quality Commission of any significant events that affected people or the service. Comprehensive quality assurance audits were carried out to identify how the service could improve and the manager had an action plan for making the improvements.

6 May 2014

During a routine inspection

Overall summary Here2Care (Dartford) provides care and support to adults in their own homes. It provides personal care to mainly older people and some younger adults.

When we visited 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 and shares the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law with the provider.

The service had systems in place to keep people safe. However we saw that although some risks associated with people’s care and support had been identified during assessments, there was not sufficient guidance in place for staff, to help make sure these risks were managed safely and consistently.

People told us they received their medicines safely and when they should. However there were shortfalls in the management of medicines.

People had been involved in developing their care plan. However although care plans showed the tasks staff were required to undertake, they lacked information about people’s choice, preferences and independence skills in relation to their personal care routine, to help ensure people received a consistent and safe approach to their care and support. Some people received care and support from a very small number of regular care workers, others did not. Some people told us when they did not know the care worker this could make them feel uncomfortable particularly during personal care.

People we spoke with told us they were able to make their own day to day decisions about their care and

25 September 2013

During a routine inspection

We looked at ten care plans and found that these contained information staff would need to know to be able to support a person's needs.

We found that people's needs were assessed and care and treatment was planned and delivered in line with their individual care plan.

People told us, 'My carer is excellent, they listen to me', the support and care I receive means I can stay in my own home' and 'my care workers have a good understanding of my disability, I have always felt valued & safe'.

We saw that care plans were person centred and detailed support needs. We spoke to eight members of staff who confirmed that there was a care plan for each person they visited. These staff also confirmed that a brief overview of the support required was given on each person's rota.

Other people who used the service told us 'I am a very nervous person due to having had several falls in the past and I can only walk with a frame but the carers are understanding and helpful, patient in giving me time to move around.' Others said 'Here2Care were very good in the hot weather, with regular phone calls to ensure my mum was drinking and was well' and 'The care workers treat my wife with respect and always make her laugh and talk to her as soon as they walk in, the care agency staff are always so polite if they phone me, or if they visit."

We found that there were effective recruitment and selection processes in place. The provider kept satisfactory documentation for all staff to evidence relevant qualifications and a full employment history with satisfactory written explanation of any gaps in employment.

People were cared for by staff who were supported to deliver care and treatment safely and to an appropriate standard.

We found that the provider had an effective system to regularly assess and monitor the quality of service that people receive.

14 March 2013

During a routine inspection

People's needs were assessed and they were consulted and involved in the planning of their care plans and service delivery.

People told us that they were very happy with the care and support that they or their relatives received, staff were reliable, supportive and flexible. People who used the service were treated with respect and dignity. One person said "The carers are excellent, very caring and professional."

Another person said 'I am very happy with the carers and I am very involved in the care planning process on behalf of my relative who receives the service."

We observed telephone conversations within the office where staff answered the phone promptly and spoke to the caller in a polite and courteous way. One carer told us that the staff in the office were very approachable, polite and helpful.

We spoke to a relative of a person who uses the service and they told us that they had been made aware of the complaints policy and how to make a complaint. They stated that they have raised concerns in the past and they were always dealt with swiftly and to their satisfaction.

Staff we spoke to told us that they received regular supervision and that the senior team are available for advice and support. One person said "The senior staff are approachable and very supportive. We saw that staff received regular training appropriate to the needs of the people they support.

11 October 2012

During a routine inspection

At the time of our inspection the service was providing care and support to approximately 280 people. We arranged to speak with people who used the service and their relatives over the telephone. They told us that they were happy with the care and support that was provided by the service. Comments included 'The care is fantastic' and 'I don't know what I would do without the service, they have made a real difference and help stop my family worrying.' People told us that they were visited by regular care staff who understood their needs. They told us that staff were 'Superb' 'Caring' and 'Wonderful'. The people we spoke with told us staff were mostly on time and always stayed for the agreed amount of time. Some people we spoke with told us that they did not always have regular care staff at the weekend and that they would prefer the allocation of staff at the weekend to be more consistent. We saw that the service was working to try and resolve this. We found that relatives and people who used the service had been kept involved in their care. One relative told us 'They undertook a full assessment at the beginning to understand what we needed. They have worked with us to make sure we are happy.'

2 November 2011

During a routine inspection

People told us that they were involved in decisions about their care and support. They were visited every three months by someone from the agency. In these meetings they had the opportunity to discuss their level of satisfaction with the care that they or their relative received.

People told us that their privacy and dignity were respected at all times. Comments about the care staff included, "she is very thoughtful"; "they do not rush"; "they are very respectful".

People told us that care staff stayed for the correct length of time. They checked their plan of care and carried out all the tasks that were recorded in it. Comments included, "The staff do everything that is necessary"; "They take great care of x"; and "Nothing is too much trouble".

People told us that care staff understood their individual needs or those of their relative. Comments included;

"X gets agitated'.they calm x down'They know x well and are used to each other. Communication is difficult, but they seem to know what x wants".

"They (care staff) get x to laugh which is a big thing".

"She (care staff) rings me if there are any problems with x, which is very reassuring".

"She (care staff) makes a difference".

Some people told us that care staff supported them or their relative to take medicines. They told us that care staff made sure that they received their medicines as it was intended by their GP.

People told us that if they had a concern they would ring the office. They said that if they called outside of office hours, that someone got back to them.

People said that they felt in safe hands when they or their relative used this agency. They said that they would recommend the agency to other people.