Background to this inspection
Updated
16 November 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The provider in this instance was a committee as the service is a not for profit organisation.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account in making our judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, financial clerk, office support and two support workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
16 November 2019
About the service
Carers Sitting Service provides domiciliary care and a sitting service to 35 people at the time of the inspection. It provides personal care for some people living in their own homes, so they can live as independently as possible.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe care from staff who knew how to protect them from harm and reduce the risk of infection. The staff had received the required recruitment checks and people received a consistant service from the same staff. When people required support with their medicine this was done in accordance with national guidance. When events had occurred, lessons had been learnt and used to drive improvements.
Staff had received training and an induction for their role. Information was accessible to enable staff to support people with their health care and nutritional needs. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Care was provided in a caring and respectful manner. People and relatives had shared their appreciation through surveys and regular feedback to the service. Relationships had been developed. People’s confidentiality had been maintained.
The care plans provided the information which included details shared by the people and family or friends which were important to them. The service was responsive to people’s needs. They had worked with a local company to support people when they were end of life to ensure they could remain at home. The provider had not received any complaints, but had systems in place to address any concerns.
The service was managed by a committee as it was a not for profit organisation. The registered manager worked with the committee to ensure they followed all the requirements to meet the regulations. Audits were completed regularly, and this informed changes to drive improvements. Staff and people were able to contribute to the service. Staff work in partnerships to provide improved health care or to support people’s wellbeing. The provider had displayed their rating as required.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published 21 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.