We Simply Care Ltd

Updated 24 December 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

This inspection was undertaken 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.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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

We gave the service 24 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 10 December 2019 and ended on 11 December 2019.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority. 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including a director who is also the nominated individual, registered manager, administrator and two care workers. The care workers are referred to in the service as care specialists, this term will be used throughout the report. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We received feedback from the local authority about the service.

Updated 24 December 2019

About the service

We Simply Care Ltd is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people receiving personal care support.

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

Risks to people were assessed and mitigated, which reduced the risks of avoidable harm. Care specialists received training in safeguarding and there were systems in place designed to reduce the risks of abuse happening. Where people required support with their medicines, this was done safely. Infection control processes protected people from the risks of cross infection. There were sufficient numbers of care specialists to cover the planned visits to people. Recruitment systems were safe.

People received care and support from care specialists who were trained and supported appropriately. Where people required support with their dietary needs and health, this was provided effectively. 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.

People were cared for and supported by caring and compassionate care specialists. People’s rights to independence, dignity and privacy were promoted and respected. People’s views and choices were valued and used to plan their care. This included people’s end of life decisions. People’s care needs were assessed planned for and met.

There were robust systems in place to assess and monitor the service provided. People’s views were sought relating to the service provided and these were used to drive improvement. There was a complaints procedure in place.

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 21/09/2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on a new service.

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.