The inspection took place on 31 May 2018. We gave the provider 24 hours' notice to ensure someone would be in the office to facilitate the inspection. The service had not yet been inspected since first registering with the Commission in March 2017. Although the service had been registered since March 2017 it had only began to take on care packages from October 2017 and at time of inspection had 12 people using its services. 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 older adults. At time of inspection 12 people across the Trafford area of Manchester received care and support from the service.
At time of inspection there was 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. A manager had been registered with the CQC since March 2017.
As part of the services registration conditions it is required to have a registered manager employed to oversee the day to day running of the service. 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. A manager had been registered with the CQC since March 2017.
People expressed satisfaction with the service provided and spoke very highly of the staff that supported them. People told us they felt safe and staff left their properties secure on leaving. People also told us staff offered choice and always gained consent prior to carrying out any care task.
Recruitment processes were in place to ensure satisfactory information was obtained about each new staff member’s suitability to the role. This included relevant character and health checks and any known offending behaviours.
The service had a range of policies and procedures in place which enabled the service to be compliant with the commission’s regulations and governmental guidance.
Risk assessments to manage identified risks associated with daily living and also recognise individual risk taking, were in place in each person's file we looked at. Environmental risk assessments were also completed for both internal and external areas.
People we spoke with felt staff had the right skills and knowledge to support them. Training processes were in place and staff received a period of induction before being assessed as competent to carry out the caring role.
People using the service were confident about raising any concerns with management and that issues raised would be dealt with promptly.
The registered manager had systems in place to monitor safety and quality across all aspects of the service which included feedback from people using the service.
Medicines training was provided and people told us they received their medicines safely.
Business continuity plans were in place to offer information and guidance in the case of adverse weather or any other unforeseen circumstances which could affect the day to day running of the service.
Positive feedback was received from people who used the service and staff about the management structure. People told us they were able to ask for assistance from the management team when required.
Staff were provided with disposable gloves and aprons and hand cleansing gels to minimise the risk of cross infection.