Background to this inspection
Updated
10 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. 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
One inspector carried out this inspection.
Service and service type.
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes, so they can live as independently as possible.
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 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
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with one relative, the registered manager and two support staff. We also visited one service user in their home where we reviewed their care records. These included medication administration records and daily notes. We looked at two staff recruitment, induction, training and supervision records as well as other records relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We looked at some specific information we had asked the provider to send us. This included the staff training database and staffing rosters.
Updated
10 January 2020
About the service
Treehouse Care Domiciliary Care Services provides care and support to younger adults, who may be living with a learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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. At the time of our inspection only one person was being supported with personal care.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control and choice. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People's experience of using the service and what we found
People were safe from harm. This was because staff recruitment, sufficient numbers of staff employed and risks were managed well to support people with their care needs. This included handling medicines and keeping people’s homes clean.
Staff were trained, skilled and well supported by the provider. People had good relationships with the staff who protected their rights to lead a normal life. 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.
We found staff were kind, caring and respectful. They championed people’s privacy and dignity and encouraged people’s independence in all aspects of life. Staff ensured they communicated with people in a way they understood and had learned to listen to people’s requests through signals, gestures and sounds.
Staff were motivated and dedicated in their roles to provide person-centred care based on people's needs, choices and preferences, which meant people experienced the lifestyle they desired and did the things they wanted to. Any dissatisfaction in receiving the service was addressed and resolved. Any support people would need in the future, with end of life care, was understood and would be provided.
People had the benefit of a positive and inclusive service. The registered manager and staff checked on how well the service was proving care and support. People and relatives had opportunities to make their views known. Documents held in the office were secure to ensure confidentiality of people's information, and staff respected people's confidentiality when they supported them.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC's website at www.cqc.org.uk.
Rating at last inspection and update.
The last rating for this service was good (report published 4 July 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.