Background to this inspection
Updated
17 December 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
One inspector carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats and specialist housing.
The agency had a manager registered with 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 a short period of notice for the inspection because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to arrange safe working procedures for our inspection.
Inspection activity started with a site visit to the office on 9 November 2021 and ended with telephone calls to people and relatives on 11 November 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the agency since it was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the agency. The provider completed a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the agency, what the agency does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the agency and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the nominated individual, the registered manager, the office manager and three support workers. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the agency on behalf of the provider.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found.
Updated
17 December 2021
About the service
Home Sweet Home is a domiciliary care agency, providing care and support to people living in their own homes. At the time of this inspection there were 18 people using the agency.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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
The registered manager assessed, monitored and reduced risk to people’s health and safety. The management team carried out regular reviews. Spot checks to ensure the quality of the agency, and the safety of people who used it, were maintained to a high standard.
People had input to their care and support and their wishes and choices were listened to and actioned. Changes to people’s needs were recognised and records were updated straight away. The management team monitored this and completed regular audits.
People confirmed that they had a tailored package of care to meet their needs. Without exception, people said they felt safe and care workers were respectful.
People received their medicines safely and their health was well managed.
People received good, consistent care from friendly care workers who went out of their way to assist them. Relatives and people said the agency was reliable and efficient. They had good communication with the office and received regular updated information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People said their care workers were skilled and competent. Care workers received appropriate induction, training and support to enable them to carry out their role.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care workers supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the agency supported this practice.
People, relatives and care workers told us the management team were approachable and listened to them when they had any concerns. All feedback was used to make improvements to the agency.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service registered with CQC on 24 September 2019 and this is their first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of the provider's registration.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the agency until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.