Background to this inspection
Updated
6 March 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
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
This inspection was announced. This was to ensure the management team were available during the inspection visit.
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 commissioning and safeguarding teams. 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 Guardian Homecare (Morecambe) and made the judgements in this report. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke about Guardian Homecare (Morecambe) with three people who used the service, 12 staff, the registered manager and the area manager. We checked staffing levels, staff rotas, training records and recruitment procedures. In addition, we looked at records related to the management of the service. We did this to ensure the provider had oversight of the service, responded to any concerns and led Guardian Homecare (Morecambe) in ongoing improvements.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at their quality assurance systems.
Updated
6 March 2021
About the service
Guardian Homecare (Morecambe) is a domiciliary care service providing personal care and support to 155 people living within their own homes at the time of inspection. 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
Risks were well managed and people felt safe. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibility to protect people from unsafe care and harm. Staff were recruited safely and people were happy with the management of their visits. Procedures were in place to support people safely with their medicines. Safe infection control measures were followed to protect people from harm.
People's needs were assessed, and care and support had been planned proactively and in partnership with them. People were happy with the support they received with meal preparation. Staff received the training and support they needed to carry out their roles. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were treated with dignity and respect and were fully involved in their care planning and delivery. People's right to privacy was upheld. People were positive about the service and said staff were caring and attentive. The registered manager provided people with information about local advocacy services, to ensure they could access support to express their views if they needed to.
The service was flexible and care packages were changed and adapted to meet people's changing needs and choices. People’s communication needs had been assessed and where support was required these had been met. The service listened to people's experiences, concerns and complaints. Concerns received were fully investigated and subsequent action was taken.
The registered manager worked in partnership with a variety of agencies to ensure people received coordinated care which met their needs. People were happy with how the service was managed. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager. The registered manager and provider completed regular audits and checks, which ensured appropriate levels of quality and safety were maintained by 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
The last rating for this service was good (published 30 August 2018). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has changed. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was the services first planned 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.