Background to this inspection
Updated
15 January 2020
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. This inspection was planned 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
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
Epoch Home Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ 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 in the office to support the inspection.
What we did
Before the inspection, the provider sent us a provider information return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We reviewed information we had received about the service, such as details about incidents the provider must notify CQC about, for example incidents of abuse.
We also reviewed all other information sent to us from stakeholders such as the local authority and members of the public. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people and one relative to ask about their experience of the care provided. We looked at five people's care records and four medicine records. We spoke with the registered manager and three staff members. We looked at two staff files for recruitment, supervision and appraisal and training records. We also looked at quality monitoring records relating to the management of the service such as audits and quality assurance reports.
Updated
15 January 2020
About the service
Epoch Home Care is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to 43 people aged 65 and over at the time of the inspection.
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 the service
People told us they felt safe with staff entering their homes and providing personal care. People were protected from harm and systems were in place to reduce the risk of abuse and to assess and monitor potential risks to people.
The management of medicines was safe. Some protocols for ‘as required’ medicines were not in place; this was immediately corrected by the registered manager.
Risk assessments had been completed and were regularly reviewed. Incidents and accidents were managed effectively; lessons were learned to prevent future risks.
Staff had the skills and experience to meet the needs of people who used the service. Staff completed training and supervisions.
People said staff listened to them, were kind and caring. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their dignity. People were involved in decisions about their care. People's right to privacy was maintained by staff.
Staff understood people’s preferences and people were offered choices about their care. Staff were provided with specific guidance on how to communicate with people effectively.
People were involved in meal choices and supported to maintain a balanced diet. Health needs were regularly monitored, and staff accessed advice from health care professionals when required.
Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive was possible. MCA
Complaints were managed effectively. People knew how to complain if needed.
The provider used internal and external audit systems to monitor the quality and safety of the care provided. People were asked for their views and the provider engaged with other agencies and services to improve their knowledge of best practice.
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 the service was good (published 29 April 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.