Saxon Care Solutions Limited

Updated 24 September 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 undertaken by one 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.

Service and service type

Saxon Care Solutions Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides support to people in their own homes.

The service had a manager and they were in the process of registering 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

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit to ensure the manager would be available to assist with the inspection.

We visited the office location on 8 and 15 August 2019, to see the manager and provider.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we had received and held about the service. This included statutory notifications sent to us about events and incidents that had occurred at the service. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. 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. This information helps support our inspections.

We used this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We reviewed people’s support plans and associated care records and information relating to the management of the agency. This included areas such as staff recruitment, training and supervision. To gain feedback about the service, we spoke with 14 people on the telephone. We spoke with the manager, director and eight members of staff. After the inspection, we contacted five health and social care professionals for their feedback about the service. Four professionals responded.

Updated 24 September 2019

Saxon Care Solutions Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care to people in their own homes in Chippenham and surrounding towns and villages, such as Melksham and Devizes.

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

At the last inspection, medicine administration systems were not always clear, and this impacted on safety. At this inspection, improvements had been made. New medicine administration records had been developed and additional one-to-one training with staff had been completed. A new electronic medicine administration system was in the process of being implemented and medicine auditor posts were being introduced.

People received a reliable service and risks to their safety were identified and addressed. People were supported by staff who were aware of their responsibilities to recognise and report potential abuse. There were enough staff and they worked in ways to prevent and control infection. Reflective practice took place to improve the service.

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. However, records did not always support this practice. We recommended that any decisions made on behalf of a person was done so, and documented, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People were assisted by staff who were well supported and valued. Staff received a range of training to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. People were appropriately supported with meal and drink preparation and any assistance required was clearly stated in the individual’s support plan.

People were complimentary about the staff and a range of compliments had been received about the service. Staff knew people well and established relationships had been built. People’s rights to dignity, privacy, respect and independence were promoted.

People received a personalised service that was tailored to their needs. Support was provided at a time that was convenient to the individual. Each person had a detailed, comprehensive support plan which detailed their needs, preferences and support required. Due to the length of the plan, the manager had identified a more concise format would be of benefit. They were in the process of talking to staff about this. There was a positive approach to complaints and the way in which they could be used to improve the service.

The manager was in the process of registering with the Care Quality Commission to become the registered manager. The manager and director were very involved with the day to day management of the service and worked well together. There was a positive, inclusive and supportive culture and a strong desire to deliver high quality care.

Rating at last inspection - The last rating for this service was Good. (The report was published on 14 March 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up: We will monitor all intelligence about the service and complete another inspection in line with this and our frequency of inspection guidance.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk