Background to this inspection
Updated
16 November 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 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 homes.
The service had two managers registered with the Care Quality Commission (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 two days’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered managers would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 4 October 2021 and ended on 20 October 2021. We visited the office location on 6 October 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since it registered. 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.
We requested a number of records to review before we visited the office. These included a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and training matrix. We reviewed these before visiting the office.
During the inspection
We spoke with both registered managers at the beginning of our visit to their office. One of the registered managers was called away and we worked with the other for the rest of our visit.
We reviewed further records. This included two people’s care records, two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision, compliments, quality monitoring audits and surveys.
On the day we visited the office the expert by experience contacted people and their relatives to ask for their views about the service. The Expert by Experience spoke with four people who use the service, three relatives and a support worker.
After the inspection
We contacted staff to give them the opportunity to share feedback with us. We received feedback from four of them.
Updated
16 November 2021
About the service
Casterbridge Homecare is an agency which provides personal care to people living in their own homes on the Isle of Portland and in the seaside town of Weymouth and surrounding villages. At the time of the inspection the agency was providing care to 33 people.
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 were supported by an agency which had systems in place to identify and report concerns. Staff knew how to recognise and report abuse.
People and relatives told us they felt very safe and relaxed with the staff who supported them. Risks to people were reduced because staff were very observant and took action to make sure risks were minimised.
People received support from a regular staff team and staff were recruited safely. Staff were trained to administer medicines safely. Competency checks had been completed to ensure staff were following safe medicine practices.
Staff had received training in infection control and demonstrated an understanding of what personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used when supporting people. People told us that staff wore PPE whilst spending time in their homes.
People's needs were assessed and staff with the right skills helped to meet these. Staff supported people with their eating, drinking and to access healthcare support.
People and their relatives spoke very highly of the way staff cared for them. Comments included, “Each carer seems to be on the ball, and yes they show kindness and care towards my mother” and “They are always nice to me.” Staff told us they were proud and enjoyed working at the service.
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 their views were sought and they were involved in making decisions about their care.
The provider had a complaints process and had not received any formal complaints.
People and their relatives were able to give feedback about their care in a variety of ways. Examples included, through care reviews and surveys.
People could be confident that their care was provided by an agency who monitored risks and followed up to date guidance to keep people safe. The provider had systems and processes in place to retain oversight of people's care and ensure good standards were consistently met.
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 was registered with us on 12 June 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date the service was registered.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.