Humber Healthcare Ltd

Updated 20 July 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 20 June 2017, and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service; we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection, the provider was asked to complete a Provider Information Return [PIR]. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We considered this information prior to our inspection.

Prior to our inspection we looked at and reviewed all the intelligence the Care Quality Commission [CQC] had received. This helped inform us and assisted us to make a judgement about the level of risk at the service. We contacted the local authority who raised no concerns about this service.

During our inspection we spoke with the provider, registered manager and with five staff. We looked at the care records of three people, which included their care and support plans, assessments undertaken before a service commenced, risk assessments, medication records and records made by staff following their visits to people. We also visited one person receiving a service in their home. We spoke with three people who received a service, and with one relative of a person by telephone to gain their views.

We looked at records relating to the management of the service, quality assurance documentation policies and procedures and complaints information. We inspected staff rotas, three staff files including staff training records, staff supervision and appraisals. Information relating to staff recruitment was also inspected.

Updated 20 July 2017

The inspection took place on 20 June 2017, and was announced. This was the first inspection of this service at this location.

The service is registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes. people received support lived in the East Riding of Yorkshire. On the day of our inspection there were 41 people using the service.

The service had a registered manager in place. 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.

Staff understood their responsibilities to keep people safe from harm and protect them from abuse. The provider had relevant policies and procedures in place to advise staff and issues were raised with the local authority if necessary, which helped to protect people.

The provider had robust recruitment procedures in place. Checks were completed that helped to prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable adults.

People’s needs were met by sufficient numbers of skilled staff. People received care and support from all the staff who worked at the service, which meant people had their needs met by staff who knew them.

Where people had been assessed as requiring assistance with their medicines, these were administered safely in line with their prescription. Staff followed the services policies and procedures in relation to this.

New staff shadowed experienced staff until they were competent in their role. Spot checks and observations were completed to develop the staff skills and to make sure people received effective support. Training in all relevant areas was provided for staff.

Staff received supervision and appraisal. This allowed staff and the management team to discuss any training or performance issues.

Care workers understood the requirements of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). Staff worked within the principles of the MCA and supported people to make their own decisions.

People were supported to eat and drink to help maintain their nutritional intake.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained. People’s care records were monitored and reviewed. Changes in people’s needs were reported to the relevant health care professionals to help protect people’s health and wellbeing.

The provider had policies and procedures in place regarding complaints and issues raised were dealt with.

Staff understood the management system in place and understood their roles and responsibilities.

There was an ‘on call’ system outside of office hours. This allowed people, their relatives or staff to gain help and advice, at any time.

Quality assurance checks were in place to help provide a consistent service and identify any areas for improvement. People’s views were sought about the service and people we spoke with told us they were happy with the service they received.