Background to this inspection
Updated
19 January 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 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 13 October 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
We reviewed the information we held about the service and looked at the notifications they had sent us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.
As part of the inspection we spoke with one person and one relative of a person using the service. We also spoke with, three staff and the registered provider.
We reviewed three care records, the complaints folder, recruitments processes, three staff files, staff meetings, training plan as well as monthly checks the registered provider completed.
Updated
19 January 2017
The inspection took place on 13 October 2015 and was unannounced.
We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our intention to undertake an inspection. This was because the organisation provides a domiciliary care service to people in their homes; we needed to be sure that someone would be available at the office. A registered provider was in charge when we inspected the service. Registered providers 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 spoke warmly about care staff supporting them and felt safe with them in their homes.
Relatives told us they were familiar with the care staff visiting their home as they had got to know care staff over a period of time.
People received care from staff who knew about the health conditions that they lived with. Staff understood people’s individual health needs and any action they needed to take to keep people safe. Some people received support with their medicines and people were happy with the support given. The registered provider made regular checks to ensure people received their medication correctly.
People received care and support from staff who felt supported. Staff could seek advice from the registered provider if they were unsure about aspects of people’s care. People received care from staff who understood their needs and knew their individual requirements. Staff accessed regular training and could seek further training if they required this. People felt confident that staff understood how to care for people.
People’s consent was appropriately obtained by staff. Staff had received training about obtaining a person’s consent and understood what they needed to do.
People made choices about the meals prepared for them. People were also supported with special dietary requirements or preferences they had in relation to their meals. Staff understood people’s needs and preferences.
When people’s health needs were updated, care staff were informed about changes. Care staff were telephoned about changes as well being notified through reading care plans. Staff developed an understanding with people’s families and understood their preferences and involved them in the care planning process.
People liked the staff who cared for them and regarded them as friends. People benefitted from having developed a relationship with staff over time which helped in how staff supported them. People’s privacy and dignity were respected by staff that understood people’s individual circumstances and levels of independence and supported people accordingly.
People felt able to discuss their individual needs and preferences with the registered provider. Preferences were respected by the registered provider and fulfilled were possible. People understood that they could complain if they needed to but chose not to and instead spoke with the registered provider.
People’s care was regularly checked and reviewed by the registered provider. People found the registered provider accessible and willing to discuss their care needs. Staff felt supported and part of a team. Communication to staff was sufficient for staff to perform their role.