This inspection took place on 31 August 2017 and was announced. Healthy Homecare Services provides personal care for people living in their own homes. At the time of inspection there was one person receiving personal care. However, the provider was also providing care to two additional people who did not require regular support with personal care. This was the first comprehensive inspection of Healthy Homecare Services since their registration with the Commission in May 2016.
There was a registered manager in post who was also the provider 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.
People were safeguarded from harm as the provider had effective systems in place to prevent, recognise and report concerns to the relevant authorities. People’s care records contained risk assessments and management plans to mitigate risks to people. They gave information for staff on the identified risk and informed staff on the measures required to minimise these.
People were actively involved in decisions about their care and support needs. There were formal systems in place to assess people’s capacity for decision making under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff provided people with information to enable them to make an informed decision and encouraged people to make their own choices.
Staff had a full understanding of people’s support needs and had the skills and knowledge to meet them. Training records were up to date and staff the supervision and support that they needed to work effectively in their role. Staff were vigilant regarding people’s changing health needs and sought guidance from relevant healthcare professionals when required.
People’s needs were met in line with their individual care plans and assessed needs. Staff took time to get to know people and ensured that people’s care was tailored to their individual needs.
People had the information they needed to make a complaint and the service had processes in place to respond to any complaints.
People were supported by staff that had the managerial guidance and support they needed to carry out their roles. The quality of the service was monitored by the provider who was also the registered manager.