Archived: Angelcare - York

This inspection took place on 28 March 2017. The inspection visit was announced 48 hours in advance in accordance with the Care Quality Commission’s current procedures for inspecting domiciliary care services. The provider registered the service as Angelcare - York on 08 April 2016 and this was their first comprehensive inspection.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’.

Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Systems and processes were in place that helped keep people safe from harm and abuse. Care workers had completed safeguarding training and knew the signs of abuse to look out for and how to raise any concerns.

There were sufficient skilled and qualified care workers to meet people’s individual needs and preferences. People received their care and support from regular care workers that ensured continuity and consistency.

The registered provider had a robust recruitment process. Checks were completed that helped the registered provider to make safer recruiting decisions and minimise the risk of unsuitable people working with vulnerable adults.

Where people had been assessed as requiring assistance with their medicines, these were administered safely in line with their prescription. Systems and processes were in place to record the administration of medicines. Audits were in place that had identified the shortfalls we found in records, and measures had already been taken to address the areas of concern.

The registered provider had systems and processes to record and learn from accidents and incidents that identified trends and helped prevent re-occurrence.

Care workers received documented supervision and annual appraisals were planned each year to ensure workers were supported in their ole and development. The registered provider planned to carry out spot checks on care workers to make sure they were competent in applying the skills they had learnt in theory to their practice.

Care workers had received training and understood the requirements of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). We checked and found the service was working within the principles of the MCA. Staff confirmed people were assumed to have capacity unless assessed as otherwise and were supported to make decisions. At the time of our inspection no one receiving a service had any restrictions in place.

People were supported to eat and drink healthily. Any specific dietary needs were recorded in their care plan and care workers confirmed they requested support from other health professionals where it was required. Care workers understood the importance of respecting people’s privacy and dignity. We saw care workers were polite and sensitive to people’s needs and always sought confirmation and agreement from the person to everything they were doing.

Care plans recorded people’s preferences and any diverse needs. We saw any religious or cultural needs were recorded, where the person had provided this information, and should they have a preference for a male or female care worker this was also documented.

People were promoted to live as independently as possible. Care plans included areas of care and support people required help with and this information was detailed in that it also showed what the person could manage to do independently.

The registered provider involved people in their care planning and reviews and only considered accepting people into the service once it was established their needs could be met. Care records were written with and centred on people. People had been involved with their care plans and had signed to confirm they understood and agreed to the content.

People’s interests and choice of activities were recorded and we saw care workers were supportive in ensuring people could participate in their chosen activity. We saw from a monthly newsletter the registered provider had links with day centres and provided information on how people could arrange to attend.

The registered provider had systems and a policy in place to receive and respond to any complaints. We saw from records held that there had been no complaints made to or about the service.

Everybody spoke positively about the way the service was managed. Staff understood their levels of responsibility and knew when to escalate any concerns. The registered manager had a good understanding of their role and responsibilities. Services that provide health and social care to people are required to inform the CQC of important events that happen in the service in the form of a 'notification'. Important events include accidents, incidents or allegations of abuse. At the time of our inspection the registered manager had not needed to submit any notifications.

The registered provider completed quality assurances checks that helped to provide a consistent service and identify any areas of improvement. People’s views were sought on their care and support by an annual survey and during individual reviews. People confirmed they were happy with the service they received.

The registered provider worked effectively with external agencies and other health and social care professionals to provide consistent care, to a high standard for people.