Background to this inspection
Updated
26 October 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 and one 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 houses and flats.
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 a short notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 21 September 2022 and ended on 7 October 2022. We visited the location’s office on 29 September 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registering with the CQC. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with seven people who used the service, and six people’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including care workers, the field care supervisor, the registered manager, the operations manager and the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
Updated
26 October 2022
About the service
Alina Homecare - Colchester is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in their own houses and flats. The service provides support to people including those with a physical disability and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 19 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received risk assessments to guide staff on how to keep them safe. Staff were trained in safeguarding and knew how to report concerns. Care visits were planned, delivered and monitored to prevent missed visits. People were supported to take their medicines as prescribed. Staff follow safe practice in infection prevention and control. Lessons learned following incidents were demonstrated in improved processes and procedures.
People received an assessment of their needs and preferences when they joined the service. Staff received an induction, including training, shadowing and supervision. Additional training was specifically tailored to people’s care and support needs. People were supported to have a balanced diet. People were proactively supported to access healthcare support and other agencies as required.
Staff were described as caring and there was a person-centred culture. People were treated with respect, and their human rights upheld. People’s privacy and dignity was considered at all times. People were able to express their needs and preferences and felt they would be met. People were supported to retain their independence where able and they choose to do so.
Care and support was planned to meet people’s preferences, choices and needs. This was regularly reviewed and updated and there was an enhanced awareness of care plans and review processes. Information was communicated and available to people in an accessible way. People and their relatives felt confident the service would respond quickly and openly if they ever had cause to complain. We received positive feedback about support for people reaching the end of their lives.
There was a positive, person-centred culture. Staff felt valued and supported in their roles. A range of checks and audits were carried out, including the use of bespoke systems, which provided good oversight. The registered manager regularly liaised with other branch managers and had provider support, including a dedicated quality team. Legal and regulatory responsibilities were well understood. People and their relatives told us they received regular communication from the service and were able to contact the office as needed. Plans were in place to continuously improve.
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.
At the time of the inspection, the location did not care or support for anyone with a learning disability or an autistic person. However, we assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.
Right Support: People are supported to have maximum control, choice and independence through the care provided in their own homes. Information is accessible, such as ‘Easy read’ guidance and information for people if required.
Right Care: Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. Staff are scheduled to receive specialist training on supporting people with a learning disability, and autistic people.
Right Culture: The ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives. There is a positive and inclusive culture at management level, and an awareness of best practice guidance.
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 5 March 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.