Moonlight Homecare Ltd

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

The provider had a process for the reporting and investigation of safeguarding concerns, incidents and accidents and complaints. At the time of the assessment, care workers were not supporting people with their medicines. There was a robust recruitment process in place. Care workers had access to personal protective equipment and wore it when providing care. However, we found a breach of regulation in relation to safe care and treatment. The risk assessments developed for people did not always contain enough information for care workers on how to reduce possible risks. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to our concerns.

This service scored 72 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

People knew how to raise a concern or complaint and the telephone number for the office was in the folder in their home.

Care workers explained how they would respond if a person raised a concern or complaint about the care they were receiving. A care worker told us, “I would listen to what they have to say, understand their problem, and inform the office to carry out an investigation or enquiry.”

The provider had a system for the recording and investigation of incidents and accidents. There was also a complaints procedure in place. The provider confirmed that there had been no incident, accidents or complaints since the previous inspection.

We did not look at Safe systems, pathways and transitions during this assessment. The score for this quality statement is based on the previous rating for Safe.

We received feedback that people felt safe when they received care in their home, and they had no concerns about the support provided.

Care workers demonstrated an understanding of what safeguarding means. A care worker commented, “Yes, I've received training in safeguarding vulnerable adults. Safeguarding involves protecting individuals from abuse or neglect and ensuring their well-being and safety.”

The provider had a process for the reporting and investigation of any concerns relating to the care being provided. At the time of the assessment no concerns about care had been raised resulting in a referral to the local authority safeguarding team. Records confirmed care workers had completed safeguarding training.

Care workers confirmed they read the care plan and risk assessment for the person they were supporting regularly. A care worker commented, “I make it a point to review support plans and risk assessments regularly, especially when there are updates or changes in the individual's care needs.” Care workers explained that if they noticed a change in a person’s care needs, they would inform the office and the person’s family. Although the care workers confirmed they regularly reviewed the risk assessments, the provider had not ensured care workers had sufficient guidance required to enable them to mitigate risks.

The provider had systems in place to assess and mitigate risks. The provider had completed risk assessments in relation to the health and wellbeing of people receiving care, but these did not always provide sufficient guidance for staff on how to reduce the identified risks. The control measures identified in the risk assessments used to mitigate the risks did not relate to the person for example the control measures for using equipment referred to the use of pressure relieving mattress but none of the three people being supported used one. There was no guidance in relation to the equipment identified as being used by these people. A care worker supported a person to go to the shops, but a risk management plan had not been developed to identify possible risks and how these could be mitigated. This meant care workers were not provided with guidance on how to reduce possible risks when providing support. Failure to ensure when risks associated to a person’s health and wellbeing were identified, actions were put in place to reduce risk and appropriate guidance provided for care workers was a breach of Regulation 17 (good governance) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

There were enough care workers allocated to the visits to meet the person’s care needs. Care workers usually arrived on time and if they were running late, they would contact the person to let them know there was a delay.

Care workers confirmed they had enough time to travel to care visits with one care worker saying, “Yes, I always plan my schedule to allow for sufficient travel time between visits to ensure punctuality and efficiency.” Care workers also told us they had enough time during the scheduled visit to ensure the people received the care required.

The number of care workers required to provide the appropriate support for each person was identified following the initial assessment of the person’s care and support needs. The provider had a recruitment process in place which included requesting references which could be from a previous employer or a character reference, disclosure and baring service check for criminal records and the applicant’s right to work in the UK. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks provide information including details about convictions and cautions held on the Police National Computer.

We received feedback that care workers wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, when they provided care.

Care workers told us they had completed training on infection prevention and control with one telling us, “Yes, I have completed comprehensive training on infection control practices, including proper techniques for using PPE and adhering to COVID-19 protocols.”

We received feedback that people received support with their medicines when required.

At the time of the assessment, they were not providing people with support with prescribed medicines. This was confirmed by care workers we contacted. Care workers knew how to support people take their medicines safely. One care worker commented, “I have received thorough training in medication administration protocols.”

The provider ensured care workers completed administration of medicines training. Care worker’s skills were checked through a competency assessment. The provider had a medicines policy and provided an example of the medicines administration record form which would be used by care workers when people were supported with their medicines.