This inspection took place on 26 June 2018 and was announced. We gave the registered manager 24 hours’ notice of the inspection to ensure they would be available to meet with us. This was the first inspection of the service since registering with the care quality commission (CQC) in February 2017. Best at Home Adult Care Private Limited is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes in the community. The service provides care to a range of people with different needs including older people, people living with dementia, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions. When we inspected the service, there were 8 people receiving domiciliary care. Not everyone receives regulated activity; the care quality commission only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care.
The service had 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.
At this inspection we found that people were protected from the risk of abuse because staff were aware of the type of abuse and action to take if they suspected abuse had occurred.
Risks to people were assessed and staff worked to ensure identified risks were managed safely. Staff were aware of the action to take to reduce the risk of the spread of infection.
There were sufficient staff deployed to meet people's needs and people confirmed they were supported by a consistent staff team.
The service ensured that staff were recruited safety and each staff member had two satisfactory references and a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
People received safe support to take medicines where this was part of their assessed needs.
Staff were aware to report any accidents or incidents that occurred whilst supporting people and the registered manager reviewed the outcomes of all accidents and incidents with a view to reducing the risk of repeat occurrence.
People's needs were assessed before they started receiving a service to ensure that staff were able to provide them with effective care.
Staff received an induction when they started work for the service and were supported in their roles through regular training and supervision. The induction process worked in line with the care certificate.
Staff sought people's consent when offering them support. People were supported to have maximum choice and policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were supported to maintain a balanced diet where this was part of their assessed needs and encouraged to remain as independent as possible when preparing meals.
Staff treated people with care and kindness. They treated people with dignity and respected their privacy.
People were involved in making decisions about the support they received. They were involved in developing their care plans and received care which reflected their individual needs and preferences.
There was a complaint policy and procedure in place which gave guidance to people on how to raise concerns. People knew how to make a complaint and expressed confidence that any issues they raised would be addressed.
There were effective systems in place for monitoring the quality and safety of the service. People told us the service was well managed.
There were regular staff meetings held to ensure staff were aware of the responsibilities of their roles and kept up to date with service developments. Staff told us they felt well supported and valued by the management team.
People's views were sought to ensure they were happy with the service they received and to make service improvements, if required.
The service had a clear plan in place to allow the service to grow.