Starlight Support Services Ltd

Updated 1 November 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This announced inspection took place on 10 and 11 September 2018 and was undertaken by one inspector. The provider was given 24 hours’ notice because we needed to ensure someone was available to facilitate the inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed safeguarding alerts; share your experience forms and notifications that had been sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law.

We contacted the health and social care commissioners who monitor the care and support the people receive.

During the inspection we were not able to visit people in their own home; however, we received feedback from relatives and viewed written feedback from people. We also spoke to three care staff, and the registered manager.

We reviewed the care records of three people and three staff recruitment files. We also reviewed records relating to the management and quality assurance of the service.

Updated 1 November 2018

Zone 1 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 or adults with disabilities.

Not everyone using Zone 1 received the regulated activity; the Care Quality Commission (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. At the time of our inspection, three people were receiving personal care.

This inspection took place on the 10 and 11 September 2018. This was the first comprehensive inspection for the service since it registered with the CQC in October 2017.

There was a registered manager in post at the time of the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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 received care from staff that were friendly, kind and caring; passionate about providing the care and support people needed and wanted to enable them to stay in their own homes. People felt cared for safely in their own home.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to provide the care and support people needed and were supported by a provider who was visible and approachable, receptive to ideas and committed to providing a high standard of care.

People had care plans that were personalised to their individual needs and wishes. Records contained detailed information to assist care workers to provide care and support in an individualised manner that respected each person's individual requirements and promoted treating people with dignity.

People's health and well-being was monitored by staff and they were supported to access health professionals in a timely manner when they needed to. People were supported to have sufficient amounts to eat and drink to maintain a balanced diet. People experienced caring relationships with staff.

Staff understood their responsibilities to safeguard people and knew how to respond if they had any concerns. Care plans contained risk assessments which gave instructions to staff as to how to mitigate risks; these enabled and empowered people to live as independent a life as possible safely.

Staffing levels ensured that people received the support they required safely and at the times they needed. The recruitment practice protected people from being cared for by staff that were unsuitable to work in their home.

Staff knew their responsibilities as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) (2005). The provider was aware of how to make referrals to the Court of Protection if people lacked capacity to consent to aspects of their care and support and were being deprived of their liberty.

The registered manager and provider continually monitored the quality of the service provided. Staff and people were confident that issues would be addressed and that any concerns they had would be listened to and acted upon.