10 May 2017
During a routine inspection
The service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes in the community. At the time of our inspection the agency was providing a service for 35 people with a variety of care needs.
The service had a registered manager. 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 registered manager oversaw the running of the agency and a branch manager undertook the day to day management of the service.
People and their families told us they felt safe and secure when receiving care. Safe recruitment practices were followed and appropriate checks were undertaken, which helped make sure only suitable staff were employed to care for people in their own homes. There were sufficient numbers of staff to maintain the schedule of care visits.
Risk assessments relating to people’s individual risks and those relating to their homes’ environment were detailed and helped reduce risks whilst maintaining people’s independence. People received their medicines safely and staff contacted healthcare professionals when required.
People felt they were treated with kindness and said their privacy and dignity was respected. People were supported to eat and drink when needed. Staff had an understanding of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and understood that people had the right to make their own choices.
Staff were responsive to people’s needs which were detailed in care plans. Care plans provided staff with up to date guidance which helped ensure people received personalised care which met their needs.
Staff told us they received regular supervisions and support. They said they felt supported by the management and could visit the office and be listened to.
There were systems in place to monitor quality and safety of the service provided.