Greenshoot Care Services Ltd

Updated 3 October 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 22 August 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a community healthcare service; we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

The inspection team was made up of two adult care inspectors. We were unable to visit people on the day or meet staff as this was a specialist care provider and care was being provided in two locations which were over 45 miles away from the main office. In addition, one family was on holiday at the time of the inspection and although we tried several times, we were unable to make contact with a second relative. We contacted the case managers who oversaw the care arrangements for each person, to request feedback. One case manager gave us their view of the service provided by Greenshoot Care Services Ltd.

Prior to the inspection we looked at notifications sent to CQC. Statutory notifications are documents that the registered provider submits to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to inform us of important events that happen in the service. Before the inspection, the provider 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 spoke with a care co-ordinator, a clinical lead nurse, the registered manager and the operations director. We also spoke with a care worker who worked with one of the people supported by the service.

We inspected two people’s care records, medicine records and daily records which had been updated electronically to the office every day. We looked at three staff recruitment records and quality assurance documents which reflected the areas of the service which were regularly checked by a senior manager.

Updated 3 October 2017

This announced inspection took place on 22 August 2017.

At the last inspection on 24 September 2016 the service was in breach of regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 9, Person-centred care; Regulation 12, Safe Care and Treatment; Regulation 17, Good governance; and Regulation 18, Staffing.

After the inspection the provider submitted an action plan telling us the action they would take to make the required improvements. At this inspection on 22 August 2017 we found the provider was no longer in breach of the regulations and they had made significant improvements to the service and the care people received.

Greenshoot Care Services Ltd is a community healthcare service registered to provide personal care and treat disease, disorder and injuries in people's homes. The service provided specialist care to people with brain injuries and is country wide. The service has an office in York and currently provides care to two people who lived in different parts of the country.

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.

Professionals spoke positively about the service and staff.

Staff had received safeguarding training and had followed local safeguarding protocols appropriately.

Action had been taken to identify and minimise any risks to people who used the service.

Recruitment practices were robust to make sure only suitable people were employed.

There were sufficient numbers of staff employed to provide timely assistance to people. Staff received appropriate training and support for their roles.

Effective systems were in place to store and administer medicines.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service promoted this practice.

Staff helped people with food preparation where that was appropriate as part of their rehabilitation.

People received care and treatment from external health care professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Staff supported people to take part in activities.

Action had been taken to improve the service since the last inspection and staff and professionals spoke highly about the support people received.

Audits and checks were in place. Surveys were sent to people, their families and professionals as part of the service quality monitoring systems.