North Kirklees Domiciliary Care Service

Updated 14 March 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.

This inspection took place on 2 February 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff and we needed to be sure that they were in. The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector.

The registered provider had been asked to complete 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 looked at notifications we had received from the service before the inspection and contacted the local authority contract monitoring team and safeguarding team to check whether there had been any safeguarding issues.

We spoke with the registered manager, two of the four deputy managers, and a support worker. We spoke with four people who used the service who were present on the day of our inspection. We reviewed three care files and looked at all the management audits relating to the service

Updated 14 March 2018

North Kirklees Domiciliary Care Services is registered to provide personal care to people living with a learning disability and/or autism. This service provides care and support to people living in two 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

Not everyone using North Kirklees Domiciliary Care Services receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. The service also supported a few people living in accommodation within the local community. On the day of our inspection ten people were supported with personal care.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. The service met all relevant fundamental standards.

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.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

Staff understood how to keep people safe and were aware of the process to follow if they had any concerns. Risks had been assessed and recorded to ensure people were protected from harm and positive risk assessment was used to enable people to develop new skills.

The registered manager and staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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.

Staff received on-going support from the management team through a programme of regular supervisions and appraisals and they had been trained to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to care for people.

People were treated with dignity and respect by staff who demonstrated a kind, caring and compassionate approach. Staff understood people’s needs and involved others who were important to them in the planning of their care and support. Staff sought out activities people enjoyed and encouraged people to experience new opportunities in line with their expressed wishes.

The service had an open and inclusive culture and people, and staff were positive about the

way it was managed. The registered manager was visible in the service and communication was open, honest and transparent. Staff had clear direction and were sure about their roles and responsibilities.

Systems and processes for ensuring the quality of the service were securely and effectively in place. Issues identified were addressed in a timely manner. People's feedback was sought in order to improve the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below