Background to this inspection
Updated
21 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 carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Affinity Trust is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes and to people living in a number of ‘supported living’ settings where they can live 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.
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.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service two working days’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection and, we wanted to be sure there would be people available to speak with us. Inspection activity started on 21 October 2019 and ended on 22 October 2019. We visited the office location on 22 October 2019.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We considered any written notifications we had received since their last inspection. Notifications are information about important events, which the provider must tell us about when they happen at the service. This information helps support our inspections. We took account of any feedback from partner agencies involved with people's care. This included local authority care commissioners who contract with the provider for people's personal care on their behalf. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, team leaders, care workers and office support staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included parts of eight people’s care plans and medication records. We looked at three 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 see clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We spoke with three relatives and four further professionals who have knowledge of the service.
Updated
21 November 2019
About the service
Affinity Trust Domiciliary Care Agency provides personal care and support to people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder, who may also be living with physical disability. People received care in their own private single, or multi-occupancy living accommodation via individual private tenancy agreements. The office is located in Killamarsh and services are provided across the Sheffield area.
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. At the time of our inspection there were 29 people being supported by the service with personal care tasks.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
There were enough staff to effectively meet the current packages of care which supported people’s needs. People were safe, supported by staff who understood how to raise a safeguard and protect people from the risk of harm. Risk assessments had been completed; to assess any risks associated with required support. Staff were recruited in line with best practice. Medicines were managed safely, and staff ensured clear infection control practices. The provider had reflected on any incidents and lessons were learnt.
People were usually supported by a regular team of care staff. We saw staff had received appropriate training to meet people’s needs in line with best practice and current guidelines. When people required support with their nutritional intake, this was recorded and reflective of their needs.
People’s care was provided by kind and caring staff and people and their relatives told us they treated them with respect. The care plans were detailed and reflected individual’s needs and had been reviewed to ensure any changes were documented and shared with the staff team. Communication methods used were suitable for the individual. Care staff understood the importance of respecting people’s diverse needs and promoting independence.
The provider worked in partnership with other agencies to make sure people received the right care and support. Healthcare was promoted by staff working in partnership with health and social care professionals.
People and their relatives felt concerns would be listened to and the registered manager was approachable. Staff felt valued, respected and told us they felt able to contribute to the development of the service. The provider ensured that any complaints had been responded to, and people and staff were encouraged to give feedback. Auditing and quality assurance processes were robust, systems were in place to further monitor and to drive improvement. People and their relatives were involved and asked for their feedback regarding their care.
The provider had displayed the previous rating at their office base and had sent us notifications about significant events and the outcomes following their investigations or actions.
The service consistently applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 3 April 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.