Waves

Updated 21 December 2019

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 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 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.

The service had a registered manager who was 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.

What we did before the inspection

Inspection activity started on 21 November 2019 and ended on 27 November 2019. We made telephone calls to two relatives on 21 and 22 November 2019 and visited the office base on 27 November 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does 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 person who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, two senior care workers and two care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three 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 also reviewed.

Updated 21 December 2019

About the service

Waves is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes in the community. It provides a service to adults with learning disabilities. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care.' At the time of the inspection the service was providing six people with personal care.

Waves also have a day centre which provides young adults with learning disabilities with a wide range of opportunities. This part of their service is not regulated by CQC. The domiciliary care service was established in response to relatives requests for more support.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Staff understood how to keep people in their care safe from harm. Where risks to people had been identified measures had been put in place to reduce or eliminate those risks. Safe systems were in place to ensure people got their medicines at the right times. Staff had been recruited safely and there were enough staff to provide people with timely care and support.

Staff received appropriate training and support. Staff provided people with support to meet their nutrition, hydration and health care needs. 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 received support from staff who were kind and caring. People were involved in making decisions about their care and were treated with dignity and respect. People were encouraged to be independent and their equality and diversity needs were respected.

A complaints procedure was in place and people said they would speak to the registered manager if they had any concerns.

The provider had effective governance and auditing systems in place to ensure people received

safe care and treatment. This meant the provider was identifying and rectifying any short falls in the service. People were positive about the registered manager and the service which was being provided. People told us they would recommend the service to others and as an organisation to work for.

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

Why we inspected

This service was registered with us on 13 November 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.