We carried out a review of the data available to us about Sussex Homecare (Mid Sussex) Limited on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Sussex Homecare (Mid Sussex) Limited, you can give feedback on this service.
Not everyone using the service received the regulated activity. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care. This includes tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.
We inspected the service on the 15 November 2018 and the inspection was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that they would be in.
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence, or information, from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
At the last inspection, there were elements of the safe domain that needed improvement. At this inspection we found that the improvements had been made. Risks relating to people's care were reduced as the provider was ensuring that risks were assessed and managed effectively. People's medicines were now managed safely by staff. Systems were in place to protect people from abuse and staff received training in their responsibilities to safeguard people.
People were supported by staff who had been assessed as suitable to work with them. Staff had the right skills and knowledge to be able to meet people's assessed needs. Staff were supported through training, observations, supervisions and appraisals to help them understand their role and ensure continuous personal development. The provider had ensured that there were enough staff to care for people.
People continued to receive care in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and staff received training on the Act to help them understand their responsibilities in relation to it. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.
Staff remained kind and caring and had developed good relationships with people. Relatives told us their family members were cared for by staff and that they were comfortable in staff’s presence.
People’s needs continued to be assessed and person-centred care plans were developed, to identify what care and support was required. People were encouraged to live healthy lives and received food of their choice. People received support with their day to day healthcare needs.
Quality assurance and information governance systems remained in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. People and staff told us that the service was well-led.
Sussex Homecare (Mid Sussex) Limited is a domiciliary care service which provides personal care and support services for a range of people living in their own homes. These included older people and people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection 59 people were receiving a care service.
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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The experiences of people were positive. People and relatives told us they felt safe and staff were kind and the care they received was good. One person told us “I have used their service for a few years, I feel safe with them and with the staff that help me”. Another person said “I think they’re wonderful. I couldn’t be living at home without them”
People were supported to receive their medicines safely. However we found the recordings of audits on medicines administered were not consistent and the outcome of any investigation to errors was not always being recorded. We have identified this as an area of practice that needs improvement.
Assessments were undertaken of risks to people who used the service and staff. However risk assessments were not consistently completed and did not always have enough detail recorded for staff. Although staff could tell us the measures required to maintain safety for people in their homes. We have identified this as an area of practice that needs improvement.
Staff had undertaken essential training as well as training that was specific to people’s needs and conditions. People felt that the staff were well trained and felt confident that they had the right skills to meet their needs.
The service considered peoples capacity using the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) as guidance. People’s capacity to make decisions had been assessed. Staff observed the key principles in their day to day work checking with people that they were happy for them to undertake care tasks before they proceeded.
Staff had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s needs. Staff received regular training to ensure they had up to date information to undertake their roles and responsibilities. One member of staff told us “We have good training here, we do lots on the computer and can take our time to understand and then sit a test afterwards and receive certificates”.
People confirmed staff respected their privacy and dignity. Staff had a very good understanding of respecting people within their own home and providing them with choice and control. The service had identified people’s needs and preferences in order to plan and deliver their care.
People were supported at mealtimes to access food and drink of their choice and were supported to undertake activities away from their home. A member of staff told us “I have one person who likes me to help them preparing their lunch, so we do this together. They really enjoy it and it helps to keep their independence”
There were clear lines of accountability. The service had good leadership and direction from the registered manager and manager. Staff felt fully supported by management to undertake their roles. Staff were given training updates, supervision and development opportunities. For example staff were offered the opportunity to undertake additional training and development courses to increase their understanding of needs of people using the service.
Feedback was sought by the registered manager via surveys which were sent to people and their relatives. Survey results were positive and any issues identified acted upon. People and relatives we spoke with were aware of how to make a complaint and felt they would have no problem raising any issues. The provider responded to complaints in a timely manner with details of any action taken.