Colchester HomeCare Ltd North Essex Branch

Colchester HomeCare Ltd North Essex Branch is a home care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. The service provides support to people with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, older people and those living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 6 people using the service.

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

People received safe care and support. The provider ensured potential risks were assessed, monitored, and mitigated. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities. Recruitment practice confirmed staff were suitable for the role. Medicines were given safely and as prescribed. Staff employed good infection prevention and control practice.

Staff received an induction, training, and supervision. Competency assessments were completed to ensure effective practice in the field; however, this was not documented in sufficient detail. We have made a recommendation on documenting competency assessments in line with national best practice guidance. The service completed assessments when people joined the service. People were supported to eat enough to maintain a balanced diet.

Staff were caring, kind and compassionate, and showed genuine interest and warmth when supporting people. Care plans documented people’s protected characteristics. People’s privacy, dignity and independence was respected. The provider organised care to meet people’s needs and preferences, and in a way which respected their values and beliefs.

The service was responsive and flexible, adapting to people’s changing needs. Staff understood people’s communication needs, so information was shared in an accessible way. The provider responded openly to complaints, using the information to drive improvement. Staff supported people with end-of-life care, to ensure a dignified death.

The registered manager ensured good oversight of the service through daily involvement and review of electronic systems. There were clear plans and ambitions in place to develop and embed further systems and processes for quality assurance. There had been investment in the service, including the use of an external consultant and hiring a care manager and administrator to support growth. The service worked in partnership with people, those important to them, and other relevant health and social care professionals.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 6 May 2022, and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Recommendations

We have made a recommendation on documenting staff competency assessments in line with national best practice guidance.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.