Archived: ANNICARE LTD

Updated 27 March 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team: This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type: Not everyone using Annicare Ltd receives a regulated activity; The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks relating to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

The service had a manager registered with the CQC. 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 24 hours' notice to ensure we would be able to access the office.

Inspection site visit activity started on 6 March 2019 and ended on 8 March 2019. We visited the office location on 6 March 2019 to see the manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures.

What we did: Before we inspected the service, we reviewed information we held about the service, to help inform us about the level of risk for this service. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information is called a Provider Information Return and helps support our inspections. We also contacted the local safeguarding team, commissioners and Healthwatch to request their views of the service. Healthwatch is the independent national champion for people who use health and social care services.

During the inspection, we reviewed two peoples care records and two medication administration records. We also looked at a selection of documentation in relation to the management and running of the service. This included quality assurance audits, complaints, accident and incident records, recruitment information for two members of staff, staff training records and policies and procedures.

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives. We also spoke with three members of staff, the registered manager and nominated individual.

Updated 27 March 2019

About the service: Annicare Ltd provides support to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection, a service was being provided to 10 people including children and younger and older adults. This included people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, physical disabilities and people living with dementia.

People’s experience of using this service: Staff had awareness of safeguarding and knew how to raise concerns. Steps were taken to minimise risk where possible. Staff supported people to manage their medicines safely. Systems were in place to recruit staff safely and they were equipped with the skills required to provide effective care and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff supported people to access healthcare and maintain a nutritious diet.

People were supported by a small group of regular staff which provided continuity. Staff had developed relationships with people and knew them well; people received person-centred care as a result. Staff promoted people’s independence and treated them with dignity and respect.

People were involved in making decisions about their care and involved in reviews to ensure their care plans met their needs and supported them to achieve outcomes. Staff supported people to access the community and chosen leisure activities.

The service had an open and supportive culture. Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of care delivered. There was evidence of improvement and learning from any actions identified. The registered manager and staff were committed to providing high quality care and support for people.

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

Rating at last inspection: This was the service's first planned inspection.

Why we inspected: We inspected this service in line with our inspection schedule.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service and inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule or sooner if we receive information of concern.