ICARE SOLUTIONS MERSEYSIDE LTD

Updated 2 June 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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

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 two managers who were going through the registration processes with the Care Quality Commission. This means that the provider is 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 of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 29 April 2021 and ended on 30 April 2021. We visited the office location on 29 April 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 2 June 2021

ICARE SOLUTIONS MERSEYSIDE LTD is a domiciliary care company providing personal care to 10 people in their own homes at the time of the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People and their relatives we spoke with told us that they felt they were receiving a safe service.

Medicines were managed safely however, the information was not always in care plans, this was rectified immediately by the managers.

People had detailed support plans and risk assessments in place that gave guidance on how people were to be supported according to their wishes and needs. These were regularly reviewed. People were effectively supported to remain as independent as possible.

People were supported by staff who had been recruited safely. They told us they received support from care staff who arrived on time. They said they did not feel rushed. People were protected from the risks of abuse and discrimination by staff who had been trained to recognise the signs of abuse and the managers reported incidents to CQC and the local authority in line with guidance.

The provider and management team had a range of audits in place that helped drive improvement and ensure quality service for people being supported by the service. Complaints, accidents and incidents were monitored appropriately and referrals were made to other professionals in a timely manner when people were in need.

There were clear processes in place to ensure people were protected from the risks of infection. Staff completed infection prevention and control training, had access to PPE and followed national guidance regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

This service was registered with us on 30 October 2019 and this is the first inspection.

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.