Archived: Sahara-Care

Updated 25 February 2017

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 was 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 20 January 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be available at the office.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an interpreter. The interpreter was able to speak Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi and also read Punjabi. The interpreter was used to speak with people using the service and some care staff.

Before the inspection visit, the provider completed 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. As part of our planning we reviewed the information in the PIR. We also reviewed the information we held about the service, which included notifications. Notifications are changes, events or incidents that the registered provider must inform CQC about.

We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives via telephone. We spoke with the registered person and three care staff. We looked at records which included two people’s care records to see how their care and treatment was planned and delivered. We also looked at two staff employment records and other records which related to the management of the service such as quality assurance, staff training records and policies and procedures.

Updated 25 February 2017

This inspection took place on 20 January 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours' notice because the location provides domiciliary care and we needed to be sure that someone would be at the office. At our previous inspection during January 2014 the provider was meeting all the regulations we checked.

Sahara Care is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to older people and younger adults in their own homes across Derby. This included people with physical disabilities and mental health needs. Sahara Care specialises in supporting people from an Asian background. The agency is located close to Derby city centre. The service was providing support for 13 people at the time of our inspection.

The registered manager was currently on leave and the registered person was responsible for the day to day management of the service. 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.

We found that the provider did not always respond to information requested by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The provider was not meeting their legal obligation to maintain their registration and had not been proactive in addressing an issue regarding the provider’s registration. Following the inspection the provider submitted the applications, the progress of which will be monitored.

People told us they felt safe with the care provided by staff. Staff we spoke with understood their responsibility in protecting people from the risk of harm. However not all staff were aware of the different types of abuse people could be at risk from or external agencies were they could escalate concerns to.

Recruitment procedures ensured suitable staff were employed to work with people who used the service. Staff told us they had received training and an induction that had helped them to understand and support people better. There were sufficient staff available to meet people's needs safely.

Risk assessments and care plans had been developed with the involvement of people. Staff had the relevant information on how to minimise identified risks to ensure people were supported in a safe way. People received their medicines as prescribed and safe systems were in place to manage people’s medicines.

The provider understood their responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff supported people to make their own decisions.

People received appropriate support to manage their dietary needs. This was done in a way that met with their individual needs and choices. People were referred to health professionals when required to maintain their health and wellbeing.

People received care from staff that were respectful and caring and ensured that people's privacy and dignity was maintained. Care people received was personalised and responsive to their needs.

The provider’s complaints policy and procedure were accessible to people who used the service and their representatives. People knew how to make a complaint. There were processes in place for people and their relatives to express their views and opinions about the service provided. There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service to enable the registered manager and registered person to drive improvement. People received a handbook detailing information about the service.. The handbook was provided in English, Punjabi and Hindi.

Staff felt supported by the management team. The leadership and management of the service and its governance systems ensured consistency in the care being provided.