Background to this inspection
Updated
18 January 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check 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 comprehensive inspection. This inspection took place on 14 December 2018 and was unannounced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service for younger adults who are often out during the day. We also needed to be sure the registered manager would be available.
The team consisted of two adult social care inspectors. One spent the day visiting three locations where people lived. People were living with a learning disability, some with complex mental health, physical and other health needs. All three locations were staffed twenty-four hours a day.
Before our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service. We reviewed notifications of incidents that the provider had sent us since their registration. A notification is information about important events, which the service is required to send us by law. We reviewed the information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return, dated 31 October 2018. 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.
The inspector spoke with and met seven people using the service and interviewed four support workers and a service manager. The second inspector spent the day at the agency office with the registered manager, provider representative and a second service manager. Service managers oversee particular locations where people reside. In total 4 care plans were examined, two staff recruitment records, three staff training files and other records pertaining to the safe running of the agency. We spoke with one health care professional with knowledge of the service.
Updated
18 January 2019
East Cornwall & Plymouth DCA provides care to people with learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries and dementia. On the days of our inspection the service was providing personal care to 21 people, some living in shared housing.
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.
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Why the service is rated good:
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People’s safety was promoted through safe staff recruitment, training, supervision and staffing arrangements.
Staff fully understood how to safeguard people from abuse and discrimination. The registered manager worked closely with the local authority safeguarding adults team.
An attitude of positive risk taking meant people were not overly restricted in their daily lives.
People received their medicines as prescribed, with staff assistance.
Staff understood hygienic practice and had the equipment to protect people from infection and cross contamination.
People received a varied menu which they were able to influence.
Each person had a comprehensive, well organised care plan, based on their needs and wishes. Where the person was unable to take part in decision making, their representatives, or independent advocacy, was arranged for them.
Staff knew people well. A health care professional said, “Staff certainly know people very well and have made good relationships.”
People were treated with dignity and respect. Staff understood the importance of equality and diversity and worked hard to remove barriers which might restrict people’s lives.
People were supported to follow meaningful activities, make and benefit from relationships and enjoy time in the community.
Staff spoke positively about the management and provider organisation. They felt their views were listened and responded to and had not been afraid to speak up if not happy with any aspect of the care. Concerns and complaints were robustly investigated and followed up.
There were effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service, including listening to people’s views.
Further information is in the detailed findings below