Background to this inspection
Updated
1 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 an inspector and an Expert by Experience (EXE). An EXE 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 the service 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 11 August 2022 and ended on 23 August 2022. We visited the office location on 11 August 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people and 11 relatives by telephone. We spoke with or received responses to a questionnaire from 11 members of staff. This included, nine members of the care staff, registered manager and a director. The director was representing the provider during this inspection.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records, medication administration records and the daily notes recorded by care staff. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment, supervision and training. We also viewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and training records.
Updated
1 October 2022
About the service
Agrade Community Care Services Limited is a domiciliary service providing care for people within their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 39 people using the service.
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 felt safe when staff supported them in their homes. The provider acted on concerns raised and informed other agencies where required. The risks to people’s health and safety were assessed, monitored and reviewed to ensure people continued to receive safe care. There were enough staff in place to meet people’s care needs. People’s medicines were managed safely. Robust infection control and Covid-19 policies meant the risk of the spread of infection was reduced. The provider ensured staff learned from mistakes with increased training and supervision where needed.
People’s needs were assessed prior to them receiving care to ensure their needs could be met. Staff were well trained and received supervision of their role and assessment of their competency. People were supported to maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. Staff worked in partnership with other health and social care professionals to provide timely and effective care.
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 felt staff were kind and caring and they were treated with respect and dignity. People’s choices about their care were respected and acted on.
People received care that was personalised to their needs, choices and preferences. The provider ensured all documentation was provided in a format people could understand. People felt their complaints were handled appropriately. The provider responded to formal complaints in accordance with their complaints policy, although one formal complaint did not have a final written conclusion provided for the complainant.
Robust quality assurance processes were in place. These were monitored by the registered manager and made available to senior management to ensure that quality of care provision met the required standards. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the regulatory requirements of their role and they were supported by senior management to carry out their role effectively. People’s feedback was used to drive continuous improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection and update
The last rating for this service was good (published 11 April 2019).
Why we inspected
The inspection was prompted in part due to a safeguarding concern. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the ‘Safe’ section of this full report.
You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Agrade Community Care Services Limited on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
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.