Pattom Limited

Updated 14 December 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by an inspector.

Service and service type

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

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

This inspection was announced.

We gave the service two days 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 available to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 25 October 2019 and ended on 13 November 2019. We visited the office location on 25 October 2019.

What we did before inspection

Before the inspection, we reviewed all the information we held about the service including previous inspection reports and notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification tells us about important issues and events which have happened at the service. The provider had completed a 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two relatives on the telephone so they could tell us their experiences of Pattom Ltd, and the way staff provided care and support to their loved ones. We spoke with the registered manager and a team leader.

We reviewed a range of records relating to the management and monitoring of the quality of the service such as audits and surveys. We reviewed two people’s care records and pathway tracked their care. This means we checked to ensure people had received all the care they required. We looked at three staff files in relation to staff recruitment, supervision and training.

After the inspection

We contacted two health and social care professionals who were involved with the service and four staff members by telephone.

Updated 14 December 2019

About the service

Pattom Ltd is a care service providing personal care to adults, children and young adults, who live with learning and sensory impairments, mental health and autistic spectrum disorder in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting six people with personal care.

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

Pattom Ltd had an excellent manager who provided clear leadership and direction, creating a strong person centred culture which achieved good outcomes for people. Relatives spoke very highly of the service and the positive difference it had made to theirs, and their loved ones’ lives. Person centred support plans took account of people’s learning and visual impairments to help them maintain independence. The registered manager had developed excellent links with local community groups and sporting organisations which provided wider opportunities for people to participate in their community, improve physical wellbeing and reduce isolation. People’s support plans reflected their assessed needs and included their likes, dislikes, preferences and wishes. Relatives had no complaints but where there had been any minor issues they had felt listened to and issues had been resolved promptly.

The registered manager had encouraged an open and transparent culture which enabled people, relatives and staff to contribute with honest feedback and share ideas which helped to develop the service and drive improvement. Staff told us they felt well supported and genuinely valued by the management team who were hands on and approachable.

Relatives told us they thought their loved ones were safe in the care of their support staff. Where there were risks to people’s health and wellbeing, these had been assessed and action had been taken to mitigate these risks. Robust recruitment processes were in place which enabled the provider to make safer recruitment decisions. Staff understood how to identify and report abuse appropriately. Where people required assistance with their medicines, this was well managed.

Staff received supervision and training which enabled them to deliver effective care. People’s needs were assessed before their care package commenced to identify and agree the care they required which promoted maximum choice and control of their lives. People and/or their relatives were asked for their consent for day to day care. People were supported by staff to eat and drink where required.

Relatives told us they very happy with the care their loved ones received. Staff treated people with dignity and respect, involved them in decisions about their care and promoted their independence.

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 16/6/2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Pattom Ltd on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.