Unity in Care Limited

Updated 25 December 2020

The inspection

As part of a pilot into virtual inspections of domiciliary and extra-care housing services, the Care Quality Commission conducted an inspection of this provider between 27 October and 12 November 2020. The inspection was carried out with the consent of the provider and was part of a pilot to gather information to inform CQC whether it might be possible to conduct inspections in a different way in the future. We completed this inspection using virtual methods and online tools such as electronic file sharing, video calls and phone calls to gather the information we rely on to form a judgement on the care and support provided. At no time did we visit the provider’s or location’s office as we usually would when conducting an inspection.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector and one assistant inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

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 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

We spoke with seven people who used the service and four relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including, the registered manager, business administrator and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies, procedures and quality assurance records were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 25 December 2020

This report was created as part of a pilot which looked at new and innovative ways of fulfilling CQC’s regulatory obligations and responding to risk in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was conducted with the consent of the provider. Unless the report says otherwise, we obtained the information in it without visiting the Provider.

About the service

Unity In Care Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to 43 people in their own homes. The service supported, children, adults and older people. 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 were happy with the overall quality of care they received. They told us the service was reliable and that staff were caring. The registered manager had fostered a positive culture, where people and staff felt comfortable raising concerns or giving feedback.

There were systems in place to assess, reduce and monitor risks in relation to people’s health and wellbeing. The provider had established effective working relationships with other stakeholders to help promote effective care.

People were involved in developing and reviewing their care plans. The provider ensured that staff had a good knowledge of people’s needs, which was reflected in the care they delivered.

The provider had policies and procedures in place to help protect people from the risk of suffering abuse or avoidable harm.

The provider had adapted policies and procedures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included changes to infection control procedures to reflect government guidance.

There were enough staff in place to meet people’s needs. The registered manager had created contingencies against the risk of unplanned staff absence. This helped promote consistency in people’s care.

There were systems in place to gain people’s feedback about care and monitor the quality and safety of the service.

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

The last rating for this service was good (published 16 January 2018).

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.