Background to this inspection
Updated
29 May 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 planned this inspection to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service
Service and service type
Carewatch (Barnet) is a domiciliary care agency providing care to people 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
We carried out the inspection visit on 8 May 2019. It was announced. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because the manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that they would be available at their office.
What we did
Before the inspection visit we looked at information we held about the service and used this information as part of our inspection planning. The information included notifications. Notifications are information on important events that happen in the home service that the provider is required by law to let us know about.
On this occasion we did not ask the provider to send us a provider information return (PIR). This is information we ask providers to send us at least once annually to give us some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. However, we offered the provider the opportunity to share information with us that they felt was relevant, during and following the inspection process.
During our inspection we spoke with the registered manager, the quality and training manager and five care workers. We looked at four peoples care records and three staff files as well as other records relating to the management of the service. After the inspection we spoke to nine people who used the service and 11 relatives by telephone.
Updated
29 May 2019
About the service
Carewatch (Barnet) is a domiciliary care agency providing care to older people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection 100 people were receiving a personal care service.
People’s experience of using this service
People told us people they were happy with the care and support they received because they felt safe and all their needs were met by kind and caring staff.
People praised the managers of the service and agreed that they were approachable, knowledgeable, fair and did their job well. The staff team worked well together and supported the registered manager.
The staff team was committed to providing a high-quality service and keeping people safe. They had undertaken training so that they were skilled and knowledgeable to effectively meet people’s needs. Staff understood their responsibilities to report any concerns.
Staff encouraged people to be as independent as possible and respected people’s privacy and dignity. Staff knew people well. Staff managed the risks to people’s health and welfare.
People were given choices about the way in which they were cared for. Staff listened to them and knew their needs well. Care plans contained information about each person’s individual support needs and preferences in relation to their care and we found evidence of good outcomes for people. When people did not have the capacity to make their own decisions, staff maximised their involvement and made decisions in their best interests, in accordance with legislation.
Recruitment practices were safe and relevant checks had been completed before staff worked at the service.
Medicines were managed safely.
People and relatives told us staff were able to meet their needs and were respectful of their individual preferences. People said staff who supported them were kind and caring.
People and relatives confirmed the service did not miss any care calls and that staff were usually on time.
People received care and support from a small group of staff, which provided consistency.
The managers of the service actively sought the views of people and their relatives about the running of the service and they dealt promptly with any concerns that people raised.
The provider had a number of systems in place to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service provided.
More information is in the full report.
Rating at last inspection
At the last inspection we rated this service Good. The report was published on11 November 2016.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor this service.