Background to this inspection
Updated
8 May 2021
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
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 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We visited the office location on 15 April 2021. We reviewed a range of records which included risk assessments and care records for four people, three staff files in relation to recruitment, accident and incident records, contingency plans and monitoring records.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with three people who receive care and support from Helping Hands Camberley about their experience, three relatives and three staff members.
Updated
8 May 2021
About the service
Helping Hands Camberley provides personal care to people in their own homes. 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. The service was providing support to 12 people with personal care needs at the time of our inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Risks to people’s safety and well-being were assessed and monitored. Where risks were identified due to health issues, staff received specific training to support people safely. Robust medicines procedures were in place and records showed people received their medicines in line with their prescriptions. Staff were aware of their responsibilities in keeping people safe and how to report any concerns. People told us they were supported by regular staff who arrived on time and stayed for the planned duration of the visit.
The provider had responded to the COVID-19 pandemic promptly, implemented policies in line with guidance and ensured all staff had access to PPE. People, relatives and staff told us they felt listened to and there was a positive culture within the service. The registered manager had implemented systems to monitor the quality of the service people received and regularly sought feedback. Staff told us they felt valued in their roles and were able to contact the office should they need support.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update)
The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published 20 April 2020) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this service on 17 February 2020. Breaches of legal requirements were found. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve.
We undertook this focused inspection to check they had followed their action plan and to confirm they now met legal requirements in relation to people’s safe care and treatment and good governance. This report only covers our findings in relation to the Key Questions Safe and Well-led which contain those requirements.
The ratings from the previous comprehensive inspection for those key questions not looked at on this occasion were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection. The overall rating for the service has changed from Requires Improvement to Good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Helping Hands Camberley on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.