Background to this inspection
Updated
12 August 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.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to older people living in specialist housing.
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.
Inspection activity started on 9 July 2021 and ended on 14 July 2021. We visited the office location on 12 July 2021.
What we did before the inspection
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 all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, area manager, duty manager and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and logs were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, policies and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly visit the service and a relative of a person who used the service.
Updated
12 August 2021
About the service
Yourlife (Worthing) provides personal care to older people through ‘assisted living’, where people own their apartment in a purpose-built development. The assisted living scheme had communal areas such as a lounge, bistro and gardens which people could use. These communal areas did not form part of our inspection.
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
People told us they felt safe, they knew who to speak with if they had any problems. One person told us, “I feel completely safe, I would speak with the manager here if I had any problems. I have a booklet, but the rule of thumb is to speak with [registered manager].”
People were supported by enough staff who knew them well and were recruited safely. Staff had received relevant training to keep people safe and assist them with their medicines. Staff completed an induction period which included shadowing an experienced member of staff. One person told us, “They usually come as a pair when someone is new.”
People’s risks were reviewed, where needed, and support plans enabled people to live independent lives. Measures promoted people’s safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and staff received relevant training and had appropriate personal protective equipment.
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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People confirmed staff asked permission before offering support. One person told us, “I have signed something, but they’ll always ask before helping me.”
People lived independent lives and were supported by caring staff who upheld their dignity and autonomy. Staff provided care so people could remain in control of their lives. When people spoke of the care staff, comments included, “I think they superb, I couldn’t ask for better.” And, “I’ve always said, their staff selection policy is excellent.”
People had access to an onsite bistro, staff supported people to choose their meals and prepared light meals for them. One person told us, “I freely tell carers what I want, I am given choices for supper.”
People received care tailored to their individual needs and fully contributed to their support plans. Management would ensure documentation was produced to meet people’s communication needs. One person told us, “I have a folder in my flat, I could read it, but I’m not too bothered. I was asked many questions before the care commenced; this was to build my care plan.”
People were encouraged to help plan and attend their social activities, the service listened and responded to people’s requests of various events. Feedback was sought in a variety of ways and people felt comfortable to make suggestions, comments or complaints.
People knew the registered manager and were complimentary about their leadership style. The registered manager involved people using the service and encouraged feedback. One person told us, “I have a good rapport with the staff I can’t put my finger on anything that is in any way upsetting me, the manager sorts things out beautifully.”
The registered manager undertook various quality assurance processes and had a clear vision for the service. The quality assurance processes were effective and there was a clear plan for the future of the service.
This service was registered with us on 15/06/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This is the first inspection for this newly registered service.
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.