Background to this inspection
Updated
21 November 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 8 October 2019 and ended 21 October 2019. We visited the office location on 10 October 2019. We visited two people in their own homes on 15 October 2019.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
During the inspection
We spoke with the operations manager, registered manager, six care staff, two people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and medicine records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
21 November 2019
About the service
Sugarman Health and Wellbeing Limited, Chelmsford is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to 19 people at the time of the inspection. The service provided live-in care to meet the needs of the individual person. This ranged from 24-hour live-in care from one care staff member or one staff supporting during the day and another at night. The service provided care for people with complex health needs.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives appreciated receiving care from regular staff. One relative told us they received care from the same carers. Staff confirmed that caring for the same people enabled them to get to know people well.
People told us they felt safe using the service. Staff understood safeguarding procedures and were confident that if they raised any concerns to the registered manager, it would be dealt with appropriately.
Staff received induction and mandatory training. Additional specialist subject training was provided to ensure staff had the knowledge and skills to care for people with complex needs. The service had a registered nurse who reviewed areas of clinical practice. The service worked in collaboration with health and social care professionals, including specialist nurse practitioners.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Care plans were person-centred and provided guidance for staff. People and their relatives were involved in the initial care and risk assessments and with the regular reviews. Consent to care was obtained.
Medicines were given safely as prescribed. Infection control procedures were followed to minimise the risk of infection. Where specific clinical equipment was used such as suction machines, information about use and manufacturer was recorded in the care plans for maintenance purposes.
We made a recommendation relating to the recording of mental capacity assessments.
People were assisted with their meals, and nutrition and hydration risk assessments were carried out. Where necessary, the advice of the speech and language therapy team or dietician was sought.
Staff interacted positively with people and their relatives. They told us they were pleased with the service.
Safe recruitment practices were followed, and staff received regular supervisions and appraisals. The registered manager and care co-ordinator undertook spot checks to monitor quality of staff competency observation and service provision. There was senior management oversight by the operations manager.
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 22 August 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk