Background to this inspection
Updated
13 October 2021
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide 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
Our inspection was conducted by an inspector and two Experts by Experience. 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
Libertas HBRS is a domiciliary care service, registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes in the community.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 two working days' notice of our inspection. This was because we needed to be sure the registered manager would be available to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
In planning our inspection, we reviewed information we had received about the service. This included any notifications (events which happened in the service that the provider is required to tell us about) and feedback from the local authority that commissions the core reablement service.
During the inspection
We conducted our inspection between 2 and 12 August 2021.
As part of the inspection we spoke with the registered manager; the business support adviser, five members of the care staff team and 45 service users and relatives.
We reviewed a range of written records including eight people's care records, staff recruitment records and information relating to the auditing and monitoring of service provision.
Updated
13 October 2021
About the service
Libertas HBRS is a domiciliary care service. It is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes in the community. The service operates across the county of Lincolnshire.
Most of the people who use the service receive short-term, council-funded ‘reablement’ support to regain skills for independent living. The service also provides long-term domiciliary care to some clients who pay privately for this service. At the time of our inspection, 398 people were receiving a personal care service.
People’s experience of using this service
Staff were kind and caring and provided people with warm, person-centred care. Staff understood people’s individual care needs and preferences and used this knowledge to provide people with flexible, responsive support and to achieve agreed reablement goals.
Staff promoted people’s dignity and privacy and supported people to enjoy food and drink of their choice. Care planning systems were effective. Despite the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing resources were managed safely and effectively to meet people's needs.
Training and supervision systems provided staff with the knowledge and skills they required to meet people’s needs. Staff worked together in a mutually supportive way and communicated effectively with a range of external organisations.
Systems were in place to ensure effective infection prevention and control. People's medicines were managed safely. Staff worked collaboratively with local health and social care services to ensure people had access to any support they required. Staff recruitment was safe.
Staff were aware of people’s rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and supported people to have maximum choice and control of their lives, in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The provider assessed and managed potential risks to people's safety and welfare. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns to keep people safe from harm.
The service was well-managed and well-led. The registered manager and other senior staff provided supportive leadership and were respected and appreciated by their team. A range of audits was in place to monitor the quality and safety of service provision.
Lessons were learned when things went wrong and any complaints were managed effectively. The provider was committed to the continuous improvement of the service.
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 CQC on 8 May 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected:
This was a planned inspection following registration.
Follow up:
We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.