Background to this inspection
Updated
9 August 2019
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
The inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
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 48 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 22 July 2019 and ended on 25 July 2019. We visited the office location on 22 July to look at records and speak with management staff. We spoke with people, their relatives and staff on the telephone on 25 July 2019.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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 inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and three relatives of people that used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff, the administrator, the registered manager, and the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
9 August 2019
About the service
Active Support Service Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing support and/or personal care to people who live in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, 12 people were receiving 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. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, abuse, neglect and discrimination. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks.
Safe recruitment practices ensured only suitable staff worked at the service and staff were employed in sufficient numbers to meet people’s needs.
Where the provider took on the responsibility, people’s medicines were safely managed.
Staff received training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care.
Staff received ongoing support from the registered manager and wider management team.
Where the provider took on the responsibility, people were supported to maintain good nutrition and hydration.
People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect.
Staff encouraged people to maintain their independence, and supported people to access the community and pursue their interests.
Care plans reflected people’s individual needs and preferences, and were updated as required.
People and their relatives told us they were involved in the care planning and reviews of their care.
People's needs were assessed, and the care provided met their needs.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.
Systems were in place to continuously monitor the quality of the service.
The service worked in partnership with outside agencies.
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 this service was Good (published 1 February 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.