Background to this inspection
Updated
13 December 2022
The inspection
We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.
Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.
Inspection team
The inspection was conducted 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.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
In line with our new approach, we gave short period notice of this inspection and explained what was involved under the new methodology.
What we did before the inspection
We looked at all the information we held about the provider, which included information they provided us with when they were registered. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
This performance review and assessment was carried out without a visit to the location's office. We used technology such as video calls to enable us to engage with people using the service and staff, and electronic file sharing to enable us to review documentation. Inspection activity started on 28 October 2022 and ended on 9 November 2022.
We spoke with six people and four relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager and five members of staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care plans and risk assessments and two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.
Updated
13 December 2022
About the service
Harty Homecare Services Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes or flats. The domiciliary care agency is registered to provide a service to people over and under the age of 65 years old, some of whom are living with dementia.
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 the inspection, 18 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were involved and given choice about their day-to-day care and support. Staff treated people with dignity and respect. People received care that met their individual needs and preferences. People's care plans were reviewed and updated regularly to reflect their current needs. Staff had received training in equality and diversity. Care plans indicated people's religious, cultural beliefs and other protected characteristics.
People's care was personalised. People were able to make choices about how they received their care and the provider responded flexibly to meet people's care and support preferences. Staff arrived at the agreed time and people had not experienced any missed care visits. 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 using the service, their relatives and staff felt able to speak with the registered manager and give feedback about their experiences. Staff told us they were well supported by the registered manager and received appropriate training and supervision. Systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service were in place.
A process was in place which supported the recruitment of suitable staff. Staff were supported to complete an induction process which prepared them for their role. The registered manager completed checks of staff knowledge and skill to ensure they delivered safe care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 3 January 2020).
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
This was an ‘inspection using remote technology’. This means we did not visit the office location and instead used technology such as electronic file sharing to gather information, and video and phone calls to engage with people using the service as part of this performance review and assessment.