Access Your Care Limited

Updated 2 April 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living 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

This inspection was announced.

We gave the service 72 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.

Inspection activity started on 13 February 2020 and ended on 27 February 2020. We visited the office location on 13 February 2020 and the 17 February 2020.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspection. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We visited two people in their own homes about their experience of the care provided. We also gained views from one relative whilst making a home visit. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, human resource manager, care co-ordinator, senior care staff and four care staff. We also spoke with the nominated individual who is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We also looked at records relating to the management of the service such as incident and accident records, questionnaires, recruitment and training records, policies, audits, complaints, care plans and medicines administration records.

After the inspection

We made phone calls to people and their relatives. We gained views from four people and six relatives.

Updated 2 April 2020

About the service

Access your care is a domiciliary care service, providing support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection 102 people were receiving support with personal care from the service. 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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were support by staff who had a good knowledge of abuse and who to go to. Systems were in place to monitor any concerns. Staff received checks prior to working with vulnerable adults. Risk assessments identified risks and care plans contained guidelines for staff to follow. People received their medicines safely and when required. Records were current and up to date.

Staff received supervision, training and an annual appraisal. People were supported as required with their nutrition and hydration. Care plans contained important information relating to people’s likes and dislikes and their routines. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported by staff who were kind and caring and who were able to demonstrate positively how they gave choice and control to people. Staff had a good knowledge of equality and diversity. People’s wishes were respected and care was provided in a dignified and respectful manner.

People’s care plans were person centred and contained important information relating to their individual needs. People and their relatives felt about to make a complaint and all complaints were logged including actions taken. Staff received training in end of life and care plans explored people’s wishes relating to future planning.

Staff felt supported and were recognised with their contribution and hard work within the service. The provider had systems in place that identified shortfalls and an action plan detailed areas for improvement. Staff and people were sent questionnaires so that feedback could be sought. The registered manager and provider understood the Duty of Candour and the service worked in partnership with stakeholders. There was a positive culture reflected throughout the service.

Rating at last inspection: Good (published August 2017).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating. At this inspection we found the overall rating remained Good.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Access Your Care Limited on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.