Dengie Care Providers

Updated 3 May 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

The inspection team was made up of two inspectors.

Service and service type: Domiciliary care for up to five people with learning disability. At the time of inspection four people were receiving a service.

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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

What we did:

We reviewed the information we held about the service, including the provider information return. Information that registered providers are required to send the commission. We also reviewed other information.

For example:

• Notifications we received from the service.

• Three people’s care records.

• Records of accidents, incidents and complaints and complements.

• Audits and quality assurance reports.

• Spoke with two people using the service and three relatives.

• Spoke with two support workers, deputy manager, office manager and registered manager.

• We spoke with two health and social care professionals.

Updated 3 May 2019

About the service: Dengie Care Providers is a small community care service providing personal care to up to five people with a learning disability in their own homes.

People’s experience of using this service: People received an outstanding service. Staff provided care and support that was safe whilst also supporting people to test their limits and to live their best life possible.

Staff had an excellent understanding of safeguarding vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment practices were in place that involved people using the service in interview processes.

People receiving a service had access to health and social care services to remain healthy both physically and mentally and staff supported them to attend appointments. Staff supported people to plan their weekly food menus, budget for shopping and cook their own meals.

Staff had access to both mandatory training and additional training courses. Particularly when people developed additional needs, for example end of life care.

The provider/ manager was passionate about providing high quality, caring services to people. Support workers told us they were inspired by this caring approach. People told us that staff were exceptionally caring, and relatives told us “They all go above and beyond in everything they do.”

People received exceptionally responsive care which was outstanding. Staff knew people incredibly well and supported support to push barriers and achieve a fulfilling and meaningful life.

People receiving a service were thoroughly integrated into community life.

The service had recently experienced the death of someone they had cared for many years. The care this person received from the service and attention to end of life and funeral plans was incredibly person centred.

The provider, was also the registered manager and their approach to running the service put people firmly central to all decisions that were made. Care provided was safely monitored and people, staff and relatives told us that the provider was outstanding.

Rating at last inspection: This service was last inspected on the 3 November 2015 and was rated Good in all domains.

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled/planned inspection based on previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service in line with the current rating.