Your Choice A and J Support Ltd

Updated 30 July 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 team included one inspector.

Service and service type

Your Choice A and J Support Ltd is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to one person in their own home for set periods of respite care.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission; they were also the registered provider. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was announced. 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 and registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 11 July 2019 and ended on 15 July 2019. We visited the office location on 11 July 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with one relative whose family member used the service, about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with both directors, one of whom was also the registered manager and one who also worked as a member of care staff. We spoke with an additional member of care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits and staff training were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We sought feedback from a healthcare professional who had worked with the service. We looked at policies, procedures and a risk assessment sent to us by the registered manager.

Updated 30 July 2019

About the service

Your Choice A and J Support Ltd is a domiciliary care service. At the time of the inspection they had a contract in place to provide set periods of respite care to one person in their own home. The domiciliary care service operated from the provider’s day care service; the day care service was not included in the inspection.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Steps had been taken to help ensure the person received safe care and risks from avoidable harm and abuse had been reduced. Risks relating to a person’s healthcare needs and their care at home were identified and steps taken to manage these. Sufficient staff were planned to provide safe care and the provider checked to ensure staff who worked at the service were suitable to do so. Medicines were managed safely, and steps were taken to reduce the risks associated with infection. The provider reviewed care and looked to make improvements should they be needed.

Assessments covered all aspects of a person’s health, care and well-being Staff were trained and knowledgeable in the areas of care the person had been assessed as needing. Staff were supported in and felt confident in their job role. Staff followed nutrition and hydration plans to ensure the person’s assessed needs were met. Information and advice from other healthcare professionals had been sought and followed by staff to ensure the person received effective care. The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their life 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.

Staff were kind and respectful to the person. Staff involved them and their relative in their care and in making decisions. Staff promoted their choices and respected their privacy and promoted their independence.

Staff had a good understanding of the person’s life histories and interests. They were supported to maintain their connections with their local community. Their communication needs were assessed and met. Staff were able to communicate well with the person when they communicated in ways other than verbally.

The provider had clear values and aimed to provide high-quality personalised care. Governance arrangements and audits helped the provider check on the quality and safety of services and identify any continuous learning and improvements. The service was run with an open and approachable management team. The person, their relative and staff were involved in the development of the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 24 September 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.

We found no evidence during this inspection that the person was at risk of harm.

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.