Chestnut Homecare Limited

Updated 12 October 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a scheduled inspection. This inspection took place on 6 September 2018, it was announced and concluded the same day. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available.

We visited the office to speak with the registered manager and office staff and to review care records, policies and procedures. The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Prior to our inspection we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the notifications we had received and reviewed all the intelligence the Care Quality Commission (CQC) held to help us make a judgement about this service.

During our inspection we looked at a variety of records which, included four people’s care records, three staff files, staff training, supervision and appraisal records and recruitment documentation. We looked at records relating to the management of the service including policies and procedures, quality assurance documents, staff rotas and complaint records. We spoke with the provider, registered manager and three staff. We telephoned five people to gain their views about the service.

We asked the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams for their views about this service prior to our inspection. We also contacted Healthwatch (a healthcare consumer champion) to ask if they had any feedback to share about this service. We did not receive any information of concern.

Updated 12 October 2018

Chestnut Home Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. Not everyone using Chestnut Home Care receives regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. During the inspection there were 56 people receiving personal care or social support.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Staff reported potential harm or abuse. Safeguarding issues were raised with the local authority and were acted upon. Incidents and accidents were investigated. Risks to people’s wellbeing were assessed and reviewed to maintain people’s health and safety. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Medicine management and infection control was robust.

Staff were provided with training, supervision and a yearly appraisal to maintain and develop their skills. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff do support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Social support was provided to some people using the service.

Staff understood people’s dietary needs.

People said staff were caring and kind and protected their privacy and dignity.

People’s preferences for their care and support were recorded and this information was reassessed as people’s needs changed. The provider had a complaints policy which was, provided to people. Issues raised were investigated and resolved and learning from this was used to improve the service. End of life care was provided to people.

Quality assurance checks and audits were undertaken. There was an ‘on call’ system outside of office hours for people, their relatives or staff to use to gain help and advice. Senior staff undertook ‘spot checks’ to monitor the delivery of care to people. People were asked for their views about the service and feedback received was acted upon.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.