25 The Beeches

Updated 24 February 2022

The inspection

We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.

Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of 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 announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 31 January 2022 and ended on 8 February 2022.

What we did before the inspection

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 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, service manager and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care 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.

This performance review and assessment was carried out without a visit to the location’s office. We used technology such as video calls and electronic file sharing to enable us to review documentation.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We reviewed feedback received from a health and social care professional.

Updated 24 February 2022

About the service

25 The Beeches is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people living in their own houses and flats.

At the time of our inspection, the service was providing care and support to three people, all of whom were receiving 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 a consistent team of staff who knew them well. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. We have made a recommendation about recruitment processes. People had not experienced missed care call visits.

People were protected from the risk of harm or abuse as staff had completed safeguarding training and knew what actions to take if they identified any concerns.

Risks to people had been assessed however we found some improvements were needed to ensure risk assessments were more detailed to reflect people’s care and support needs. We have made a recommendation about assessing and recording risks.

Staff received training and supervision to help them fulfil their role and responsibilities. Staff felt supported and valued and enjoyed working at the service.

Relatives spoke positively about the kind, caring attitude of staff and were satisfied with the care and support their loved ones received. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and people's independence was promoted. Without exception, relatives told us they would recommend the service to others.

People were supported to maintain good health. Where appropriate, referrals to health care professionals were made and recommendations were followed by staff. Where required, people were supported with their nutritional needs.

People and their relatives were consulted over their care and support needs and 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.

The registered manager was committed to providing high quality care. There was a positive culture within the service. The registered manager was committed to working with staff to improve and develop the service.

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 22 December 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the length of time the service was registered and when they commenced providing a regulated activity.

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.