We undertook an announced inspection of Pechiv Care Services on 5 January 2017.
Pechiv Care services provide a personal care service to people in their own homes within the Oxfordshire area. On the day of our inspection 6 people were using the service.
We had previously carried out an announced comprehensive inspection of this service on 5 February 2015. At the last inspection we found staff supervisions were not always complete or in place and some staff training was not always completed. These issues were a breach of Regulation 23 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 which corresponds to Regulation 18 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. We also identified concerns systems used to monitor the quality of the service were not in place. These concerns were breaches of Regulation 10 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010 which corresponds to Regulation 17 HSCA 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
After the comprehensive inspection in February 2015, the provider wrote to us to say what they would do to meet legal requirements in relation staff supervision and address our concerns relating to monitoring systems. The provider sent us an action plan in May 2015 stating the action they would take to improve the service to the required standard.
At this inspection we found actions had been completed and some improvements made. However, at this inspection we still found concerns relating to quality monitoring systems. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Pechiv Care services on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.
The service was operating from a location that was not part of the conditions of their registration. This address was 5 East St. Helen Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5EG.
There was not 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 the time of this inspection the nominated individual was applying to CQC to register as registered manager.
The service did not have systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Audits were not conducted and processes not monitored which meant the manager did not have an accurate oversight of the service. It also meant information about people’s care could not be used effectively to improve the service.
Where risks to people had been identified risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage these risks. However, not all risk assessments contained detailed guidance for staff on how to manage the risk. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People received their medicine as prescribed.
The service was not displaying the ratings from the February 2015 inspection on its website. However, the provider took immediate action and displayed the ratings.
People told us they were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they stayed up to date with recognising and reporting safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.
People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable about people’s needs and provided support with compassion and kindness. People received high quality care that was personalised and met their needs.
There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels and visit schedules were consistently maintained. People told us staff were rarely late and they had not experienced any missed visits. The provider followed safe recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.
Staff understood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. The provider was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected.
People told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern. The service sought people’s opinions through regular surveys.
Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the provider and senior staff. Staff supervision and meetings were scheduled as were annual appraisals. Staff told us the provider was approachable and there was a good level of communication within the service.
People told us the service was friendly, responsive and well managed. People knew the provider and staff and spoke positively about them. The service sought people’s views and opinions and acted upon them.
We identified one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activity) Regulation 2014. We are considering what action we will take.