MM Care Services

Updated 8 October 2019

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.

Inspection team

The team consisted of one inspector.

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

We gave the service 48 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from other professionals who work with the service. We contacted the local authority commissioners. Commissioners are people who work to find appropriate care and support services for people and fund the care provided. However, the two local authorities we contacted currently did not have any commissioning arrangements with MM Care Services Ltd.

The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service about their experience of the care provided.

We spoke with two members of staff, including one care worker and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment and supervision performed. 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 quality data and a variety of policies.

Updated 8 October 2019

About the service

MM Care Services Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. The service provides care for older people and younger adults with needs relating to dementia and physical disabilities. There was one person using this service at the time of our inspection. Only one person received the regulated activity of personal care.

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.

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

People’s needs associated with risk had been assessed, but not fully explored to ensure staff had sufficient guidance to support and manage all known risks. Systems were in place to monitor and manage safeguarding’s to ensure people were kept safe. People were encouraged to raise concerns and felt safe with the staff that cared for them, but information to tell them how to do this required updating. Recruitment processes were robust enough to ensure people employed were safe to work with the people who used the service. People were responsible for their own medicines at the time of inspection, however policy and procedures were in place for medicines to be administered as prescribed and in a safe way. People were protected from cross contamination because staff followed infection control policy and procedures. Processes and procedures were in place to ensure Lessons were learned and action would be taken when things went wrong.

People consented to their care and support. The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) was considered when decisions about care were made. 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’s needs were assessed and delivered as reflected in their care plan, but the care plans needed to be more detailed to ensure they were written in a person centred way. Staff received sufficient training to support them in their role. Staff prepared meals when needed and fully supported people to have sufficient to eat and drink. Where appropriate people were supported to attend appointments, such as the GP; to help achieve a positive outcome for their health and wellbeing.

People were cared for by kind, compassionate and polite staff. There was an opportunity for people to discuss their care and support on a regular basis. Advocate support was acquired if people needed support to express their views. People were shown respect and their dignity was protected always.

People’s care plans included choice, needs and preferences. People’s communication needs were appropriately accommodated. People were supported to avoid social isolation and encouraged to be independent. Systems were in place to monitor and address complaints. Staff had been trained in end of life care. Policy and procedures were in place to ensure people had the opportunity to share and understand their wishes, needs and preferences at the end of their life.

The service promoted an honest and open culture. The provider understood and acted on the duty of candour. The registered manager was aware of their responsibility and had a clear oversight of the service. The management were open and transparent with a willingness to learn and improve. The provider worked with other professionals and developed networks within the community.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection: Inspected but not rated (report published 23 January 2019).

This service was registered with us on 05/01/2016 and this is the first rated inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.