Background to this inspection
Updated
27 May 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
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 homes.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 72 hours’ notice of the inspection. We initially gave the service 24 hours’ notice; however, the registered manager told us our visit would clash with contractors working at the office to move their data to a new server, which would impact on the inspection. We therefore delayed the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 6 May 2022 when we visited the service office and ended on 17 May 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since it registered with us. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and five relatives, about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the nominated individual (provider), registered manager, two senior carers and two carers. We reviewed four people’s care plans and risk assessments. We reviewed two staff files to look at the recruitment, training and supervision records.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
27 May 2022
About the service
Paramount24 Healthcare Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care in people’s own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care and support to 11 people.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service was well run, and people who used the service were very happy with the care and support they received. The registered manager and nominated individual possessed a good oversight of the service as they were involved in people's care. Records of care delivered were full and present. We have made a recommendation about recording decisions relating to people’s care and support.
Relatives told us their family members received safe care from staff who were caring and kind. People’s care needs had been thoroughly assessed and care plans contained person-centred information to guide staff on how to provide effective support. Risks were assessed and plans were put in place when appropriate. There were systems in place for monitoring changes to people's needs and the management team were experienced at working with external stakeholders, such as commissioners or health and social care professionals. The service had recruitment processes in place to ensure suitable staff were employed. Staff followed safe infection control practices.
People were supported by staff who were competent and skilled. Staff were trained to administer people’s medicines safely and to identify and report any safeguarding concerns. Staff asked people for their consent before providing them with any care. People who used the service 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.
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 24 June 2020. This is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.
Recommendation
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.