Care Quality Services Colchester

Updated 9 January 2021

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of an inspector, an assistant Inspector and an Expert by Experience. The inspector visited the office and spoke to relatives of people who used the service and staff. An assistant inspector made telephone calls to staff and an Expert by Experience spoke with people, using the service and relatives. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats and specialist housing.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means 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 we needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and 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.

During the inspection-

We spoke with five people who used the service and 12 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 12 staff including the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and three staff files in relation to recruitment and training. A variety of records relating to the management of the service including audits were reviewed.

Updated 9 January 2021

About the service

Allied Health-Services Colchester is a domiciliary care service covering the Colchester, Witham and Clacton areas of Essex. At the time of the inspection the agency was providing personal care to 145 people.

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.

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

People were positive about the support the agency provided. They received support from regular and reliable staff.

There were enough staff to cover the scheduled visits to people. There were clear systems in place for the recruitment, induction and supervision of staff.

Risks were assessed, and guidance provided on how to mitigate risks to reduce the risk of harm. Staff were clear about how to raise concerns about people’s welfare and we saw reports had been made appropriately to the Local Authority. However, the relevant notifications had not always been made to CQC which the registered manager agreed to immediately address.

Infection control procedures protected people from the risk of infection, and they assured us they had sufficient stocks of personal protective equipment. The agency was in the process of accessing testing for staff.

Staff received induction and training to ensure that they had the skills they needed for their role.

People’s health and wellbeing was monitored. Where people’s needs changed referrals to health and social care services, such as GPs were made to enable people to maintain their health and independence.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Satisfaction surveys were completed to ascertain peoples views on the quality of care they experienced. People told us they were consulted about how they were supported.

Care plans were up to date and contained information and guidance on how to support people in a personalised way.

People told us where they had raised concerns these had been addressed in a timely way and where necessary apologies had been given.

Care staff told us they were supported and listened to by the management team.

Quality assurance systems were in place which explored the experience of people using the service, spot checks and reviews of documentation. This information was used to monitor performance and help drive improvement.

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 18 January 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

The inspection was undertaken as the service had not been inspected since it was registered.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to coronavirus and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.