Day and Nightcare Assistance (HO)

Updated 22 September 2018

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 inspection took place on 14 August 2018 and was announced. We informed the provider about our planned inspection two days in advance. We did so because the registered manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that representatives of the service would be available to talk to us. The inspection was carried out by one inspector and two Experts by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

The provider had completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. During the inspection we checked if the information provided in the PIR was accurate.

We reviewed the information we held about the service. Providers are required to notify us about events and incidents that occur, including unexpected deaths, injuries to people receiving care and safeguarding matters. We refer to these as notifications. We reviewed the notifications the provider had sent us.

We spoke with 18 people, two relatives of people, four care staff members and the registered manager. We pathway tracked at four people’s care records. The pathway tracking is capturing the experiences of a sample of people by following a person’s route through the service and getting their views on their care. We also looked at four staff files, medicine administration records and at a range of records relating to the management of the service.

Updated 22 September 2018

This announced inspection took place on 14 August 2018.

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to older people, people living with dementia and people with physical disabilities. There were 209 people using the service at the time of the inspection.

Not everyone using Day and Nightcare Assistance receives regulated activity; the CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection on 25 April 2016, the service had been rated ‘good’. At this inspection we found the service remained ‘good’.

The service ensured people were safe. Risks to people had been identified, assessed and were managed safely. Staff were aware of their responsibilities and knew how to identify and report abuse. Medicines were administered safely. The registered provider followed safe and robust recruitment procedures. There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people safely.

People received effective care. Staff were supported to undertake training needed for their professional development, including nationally recognised qualifications. Staff received regular supervisions and appraisals which enabled them to develop their understanding of good practice and to fulfil their roles effectively.

Where some people were unable to make certain decisions about their care, the legal requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 were followed. People were supported to have their health needs met by health and social care professionals, including their GP and dietitian. People were offered a healthy balanced diet and when people required support to eat and drink, this was provided in line with relevant professionals’ guidance.

The service continued to provide support in a caring way. Staff protected people's privacy and dignity and treated them with respect. People had developed positive relationships with staff and were treated in a caring and respectful manner. People were supported to be as independent as they possibly could be.

The service continued to be responsive to people's needs and ensured people were supported in a personalised way. Any changes in people's needs were addressed immediately. People and their relatives were aware of how to make a complaint. When concerns had been raised, they had been dealt with in line with the provider’s complaints policy and procedures.

The service was led by the registered manager who promoted a service that put people at the forefront of all the service did. Staff were valued and supported by the registered manager and the provider. They were given appropriate responsibility which was continuously monitored and checked by the registered manager. A system to monitor, maintain and improve the quality of the service was in place.