Prime Social Care Services-Brackley

Updated 10 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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

This inspection was completed by one inspector.

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 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

This inspection was unannounced.

Inspection activity started on 06 October 2021 and ended on 11 October 2021. We visited the office location on 06 October 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. 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 two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager, and two care workers

We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two 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 medicine administration records.

Updated 10 November 2021

About the service

Prime Social Care services- Brackley is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. 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. At the time of inspection seven people were receiving personal care.

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

Risk assessments were not in place for all known risks to people and care plans did not always contain sufficient information within them.

Medicine records had not always been completed in line with best practice. Medicine records had not consistently been signed to evidence who had administered a medicine to a person.

Systems and processes to ensure good oversight of the service required improvement. Additional recorded audits were needed.

Not all staff had consented to take part in regular COVID-19 testing. However, Staff wore the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and received training on infection control.

People were supported by staff who knew them well, had adequate training and who were kind and caring. Safeguarding procedures were in place and staff understood how to identify and report signs of abuse.

Pre-assessment assessments were completed before support was started to understand a person’s needs and ensure the service could meet these needs. Referrals, when required, were made appropriately and any health advise was followed.

Staff felt supported by the registered manager and were kept up to date on changes within the service. Staff attended meetings and supervisions to give feedback and suggestions to support improvements.

People, relatives and staff knew how to complain, there was a complains procedure in place and people and their relatives knew who the registered manager was and how to contact them.

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 and their relatives were involved in the care planning process. People told us staff turned up on time and completed the necessary tasks to keep people safe and well. Staff supported people with dignity and respect.

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 20 July 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection for a newly registered service.

Enforcement

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.

We have identified breaches in relation to risk assessment, medicines and oversight at this inspection.

Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

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.