Background to this inspection
Updated
25 May 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: One inspector and an assistant inspector carried out the comprehensive inspection.
Service and service type: DT Care Services is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes, including older people, people with learning disabilities, people with autism, people living with dementia, people with sensory impairment's and people with physical disabilities. CQC regulates the personal care provided.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. They were also the provider. They are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection: The inspection visit took place on 15 May 2019. The inspection was announced. We gave the registered manager short notice of the inspection because we needed to be sure they and other staff would be available to speak with us.
What we did: Prior to the inspection visit we gathered feedback from six people and two relatives of people who used the service. We looked at the information we held about the service and used this to help us plan our inspection. This included information the provider must notify us about, such as allegations of abuse. We also considered the Provider Information Return (PIR). This information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also gathered feedback from commissioners who work to find appropriate care and support services for people and fund the care provided. They were happy with the care and support provided.
During the inspection visit: We received feedback from one care worker, a senior care worker, the registered manager and two administrators.
We reviewed three people's care records, to ensure they were reflective of their needs. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service such as quality audits, people's feedback, and meeting minutes. We reviewed three staff files to check staff had been recruited safely.
Updated
25 May 2019
About the service: DT Care Services Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our visit 95 people were in receipt of personal care.
People's experience of using this service: People felt safe and remained living in their own homes in line with their wishes. Procedures were in place to protect people from harm and staff understood the risks associated with people's care to keep them safe. Strong emphasis was placed upon continually developing the safety of the service.
Staff were recruited safely, and enough staff were employed to ensure people received all their care calls, from familiar staff at the times agreed. Staff felt valued and received the support and training they needed to be effective in their roles.
People and relatives spoke highly of the caring nature of the staff and staff knew people extremely well. Peoples needs had been assessed before they started using the service and people were involved in planning and agreeing to their care. Care plans contained information staff needed to provide personalised care.
People took their own medicines or were supported by family members to do this. Peoples nutritional needs were met, and the management team and staff worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to ensure people received effective care.
The service was compliant with the Mental Capacity Act (2005). People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People felt respected and their independence was promoted. Care and support was provided in a dignified way. People's end of life wishes had been discussed and recorded.
Systems were in place to manage and respond to complaints. People were happy with the service they received, and the way DT Care Services was managed. The registered manager led by example and was committed to providing high quality care. Effective systems continually monitored and evaluated the quality and safety of the service provided. Feedback gathered was used to drive improvement.
Rating at last inspection: In October 2016 we rated the service as ‘Good’. At this inspection evidence supported a continued rating of 'Good' in all areas. More information in 'Detailed Findings' below.
Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection that was scheduled to take place in line with Care Quality Commission scheduling guidelines for adult social care services.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.