We inspected the service on 13 May 2016. The inspection was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides domiciliary care; we needed to be sure that someone would be in. Mi Life Care Services Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care to people in their own homes. On the day of our inspection the service was supporting 82 people.
The service had a registered manager. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People and their relatives told us that they felt safe. Risks were assessed and managed to protect them from harm. Staff understood what to do in emergency situations.
Safe recruitment practices were being followed. Systems were in place to ensure that people received support at the times that they wanted to and this was monitored.
People received their medicines as required. Medicines were administered safely by staff who were competent.
Staff had received training and supervision to meet the needs of the people who used the service. Staff told us that they felt supported. Their competence to do their role was regularly assessed.
People made decisions about their care and the support they received. People were involved and their opinions sought and respected. The registered manager understood their responsibility to ensure people were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
People’s nutrition and hydration needs were assessed and met. People’s health needs were met and when necessary, outside health professionals were contacted for support.
People’s independence was promoted and people were encouraged to make choices. Staff treated people with kindness and compassion. People’s communication needs were identified and supported.
The care needs of people had been assessed. Staff had a clear understanding of their role and how to support people who used the service. People contributed to the planning and reviewing of their care.
People and staff felt that the registered manager was approachable and action would be taken to address any concerns they may have. People and staff were kept informed of changes to the service and their feedback was sought.
There were systems in place to monitor the provision of service and drive improvement.