Background to this inspection
Updated
22 May 2020
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 inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
Averlea Domiciliary Care provides people with personal care in their own homes. The service currently worked with mostly elderly people. CQC regulates the personal care provided.
The service had a manager who was registered with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager, alongside 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 service advanced notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to make sure someone would be at the office.
Inspection activity started on 4 March 2020 and ended on 21 April 2020. We visited the office location on 4 March 2020.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was asked and returned 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 two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with three relatives of people who used the service. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
22 May 2020
About the service
Averlea Domiciliary Care is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in their own homes. The service supports people who are primarily aged over 65 years. The service supports people primarily in the St Austell area. At the time of the inspection 20 people received support from the agency.
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
The service had suitable safeguarding systems in place, and staff had received training about recognising abuse.
Risk assessment procedures were satisfactory so any risks to people were minimised.
The medicines system was managed effectively. People received suitable assistance with their medicines when the service were involved in this aspect of their care. Staff received suitable training about medicines.
Staff were recruited appropriately. For example suitable references were obtained, for example when new staff had previously worked in a caring capacity. Checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service were obtained.
Staffing levels were satisfactory. People said they received appropriate assistance with their care and were happy with the support they received.
Suitable systems were in place to minimise the risk of cross infection. Staff were provided with suitable personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons.
The service had satisfactory assessment systems to assist the registered provider to check they could meet people’s wishes and needs before admission was arranged.
People received suitable assistance with eating and drinking, and the preparation of food when staff were involved in this area of their lives.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. Policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Care planning systems were satisfactory. Care plans outlined people’s needs and were reviewed when people’s needs changed.
People received support from external health professionals and were encouraged to live healthier lives.
People said they received support from staff which was caring and respectful. Care promoted people’s dignity and independence. People were involved in decisions about their care.
People felt confident raising any concerns or complaints. The service had an effective complaints procedure.
Staff induction procedures were satisfactory. Staff received suitable training to carry out their roles. Suitable records were available to demonstrate staff received regular one to one supervision with a senior member of staff.
The team worked well together and had the shared goal of providing a good service to people who used the service.
The service was managed effectively. People, relatives and staff had confidence in the management of 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
The last rating for this service was Good (published 30 September 2017).
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.