This was an announced inspection which took place on the 19th December 2017, and 25th and 26th January 2018. The inspection was announced to ensure that the registered manager would be available to assist with the inspection visit. This was our first inspection of this service since they registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to people with a range of needs, including people living with dementia. At the time of our inspection there were 37 people using the service.
Not everyone using Opieka Limited was receiving the regulated activity; CQC 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 provided.
The services provider is also the registered manager. 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.
People who used the service and their relatives had a positive view of the care and support they received. People we spoke with told us they felt safe and could trust the care staff to look after them. One person told us, "I am always comfortable with the care workers." People's needs were met in a timely manner by sufficient numbers of experienced staff.
Staff understood how to keep people safe and risks to people's safety and well-being were identified and managed. Recruitment practices ensured that staff were of good character and suitable for the roles they performed.
Staff were trained in infection prevention and control and provided with appropriate protective equipment to help minimise the risk of cross infection.
People's prescribed medicines were administered safely, in accordance with the provider's policy. Staff had their competency to administer medicines checked to ensure they maintained their skills and knowledge.
Staff had the knowledge and skills necessary to meet people's needs and promote their health and wellbeing. People's health and personal care needs were met and support plans guided staff in how to do this. People were supported to access healthcare professionals promptly when needed.
The service worked in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
People and their relatives complimented the staff team for being caring and kind. Staff had a good awareness about peoples preferred support needs and preferences. People's privacy and dignity was respected and they had been involved in planning their care and support where able.
The service had a clear person centred culture which was reflected during our discussions with staff and the registered manager.
There was a complaints policy in place. People and their relatives told us they could speak with staff if they had any worries or concerns and they would be listened to.
The provider had a system to request and receive feedback from people who used the service, their relatives and staff about the services provided. Quality assurance procedures and audits were used to monitor the service delivery.