Background to this inspection
Updated
8 February 2020
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 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.
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 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 20 January 2020 and ended on 22 January 2020. We visited the office location on 20 January 2020 and made telephone calls to people and relatives on 21 and 22 January 2020.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service and we sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to send in a 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 took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with one care staff member, the registered manager and the provider.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’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 policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
8 February 2020
About the service
My Homecare Milton Keynes is a domiciliary care agency, providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of inspection, 6 people were using the service.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received safe care and were protected against avoidable harm, abuse, neglect and discrimination. Risks to people’s safety were assessed and strategies were put in place to reduce the risks.
Safe recruitment practices ensured only suitable staff worked at the service and staff were employed in sufficient numbers to meet people’s needs.
Where the provider took on the responsibility, people’s medicines were safely managed.
Staff received training that enabled them to have the skills and knowledge to provide effective care. Staff received ongoing support from the registered manager and the provider.
Where the provider took on the responsibility, people were supported and encouraged to maintain good nutrition and hydration.
People told us they were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. People and relatives we spoke with felt they had the time to develop good relationships with staff. Staff encouraged people to maintain their independence and do as much for themselves as they were able to.
Care plans reflected people’s individual needs and preferences, and were updated as required.
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's needs were assessed, and the care provided met their needs. Systems were in place to continuously monitor the quality of the service. The registered manager and provider understood their responsibilities, and worked in an open and transparent way. People and their relatives knew how to make a complaint.
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 28 January 2019 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.