Avocet Trust Domiciliary Care Service

Updated 30 August 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 inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to one person living in their own home.

The service had a manager registered with CQC. 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 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.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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

The person who used the service had complex needs and was not always able to tell us in detail about their experiences. On the day of our inspection, the person was sleeping, and we were unable to speak with them. We relied on our discussions with staff and other professionals. We spoke with one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager and two care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included the person’s care records in full and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We reviewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We contacted two visiting healthcare professionals; one of these provided feedback.

Updated 30 August 2019

About the service

Avocet Trust Domiciliary Care service provides care and support to people with learning disabilities and autism, so they can live in their own home as independently as possible. At the time of this inspection one person was receiving the regulated activity personal care.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

Staff were trained, skilled and well-supported by the provider. Enough staff were employed to provide support. Some staff had worked at the service for a long time and this provided consistency for the person. Systems were in place to recruit staff safely.

Staff had positive links with health care professionals, which promoted the persons health and wellbeing. Medicines were managed safely. Accidents and incidents were monitored to identify and address any patterns or trends to mitigate risks. The provider had systems in place to safeguard people from abuse and staff demonstrated an awareness safety and how to minimise risks.

The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interest; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Care and support was tailored to the persons needs and preferences. Staff worked well with other professionals and services to ensure the person received the support they needed to stay well and safe. Professionals spoke positively about the caring nature of the staff and the service provided.

The registered manager led by example to ensure the person received a good service. Relatives and staff told us the registered manager was approachable and listened to them when they had any concerns. Feedback was used to make continuous improvements to the service.

The outcomes for the person using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. The persons support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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 3 February 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.