Background to this inspection
Updated
16 August 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 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.
Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Branch (Domiciliary Care Services) (North Yorkshire County Council) provides care and support to people in their own homes and at two extra care housing homes. They work primarily to help people regain their independence following a hospital stay or illness, however they also provide longer term support for people in extra care housing.
This inspection took place on the 13 July 2016 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we wanted to be sure that someone was at the service when we inspected.
The inspection was carried out by one adult social care 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 visit, we reviewed the information that the provider had sent to us. This included notifications of significant events that affect the health and safety of people that used the service. Before the inspection visit we received 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 gathered other information we required during the inspection. For example, we looked at the records of six people, which included their plans of care, risk assessments and records about the care they received. We looked at the recruitment, training and supervision records for four members of staff, a range of policies and procedures, quality assurance audits and minutes of staff meetings.
During the inspection we spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager. The day before the inspection visit we spoke with nine people who received the service and/or their carers.
Updated
16 August 2016
This inspection took place on the 13 July 2016 and was announced. Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale branch (Domiciliary Care Services) (North Yorkshire County Council) provides care and support to people in their own homes and at two extra care housing homes. They work primarily to help people rehabilitate following a hospital stay or illness and to become more independent. This is known as the Short Term Assessment and Reablement Team (START). However, for those people who require assistance beyond the six week period this can be arranged and so there are also people being supported in the community for longer than the START initial support timescale.
A service is offered to adults over 18 years, people with dementia, learning disabilities, sensory impairments and for people who required care and support owing to their mental health care needs. On the day of inspection the service was providing care for 102 people.
The service had a registered manager. 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 using the service told us they felt safe while staff were supporting them with personal care. Staff told us they were confident that if they had any concerns about people's safety, health or welfare then they would know what action to take, which would include reporting their concerns to the registered manager or to relevant external agencies.
Potential risks to people were assessed and used to develop plans of care to protect them from harm while maximising their freedom.
Staff had undergone a robust recruitment process and received training and supervision to enable them to meet people's needs in a safe and timely way.
People's needs were met, which included support with their clinical needs and with meals and drinks when required. Staff liaised with health care services and external agencies where appropriate to meet people's needs.
People's choices and decisions were recorded in their care records and staff gained consent from people before delivering care. Staff promoted the rights and decisions of people and were aware of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
People's needs had been assessed prior to them receiving a service and they told us they had been involved in the development and reviewing of their care plans.
People were happy with the care and support they received. People made positive comments about staff and told us they were kind and helpful.
Appropriate information was given to people using the service to ensure they knew how to raise concerns or complaints. Complaints had been addressed and actions had been recorded.
The service responded to people’s individual needs and preferences and care plans reflected the knowledge staff had of each person so that they could be placed in the centre of care. Staff were organised into teams which meant that people most often received care from staff they were familiar with and who knew their needs well.
Systems were in place to check the quality of the service provided. The registered manager sought regular feedback from people in order to develop and improve the service.
Regular staff meetings were held where staff were encouraged to voice their views. Staff told us that communication was effective and that they felt supported by the registered manager.