Background to this inspection
Updated
22 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 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 visit. This was because it was a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or manager would be available to support the inspection visit.
Inspection activity started on 16 December 2020 and ended on 14 January 2021. We visited the office location on 13 January 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service which included policy and procedures, training, induction and spot checks, lessons learnt, infection control practices and quality audits. A provider information return had not been requested for this inspection as this process had been suspended due to the pandemic. 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. All the information we received, helped us to plan and undertake our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people and their relatives, two staff members and two health professionals. On the visit to the office, we spoke with the registered manager and nominated individual who were the owners and joint managers of the company. We also received views about the service from a further five staff, two relatives and two health professionals. At the office we reviewed records including six care plans and risk assessments, three staff recruitment files, daily notes and a range of systems to manage the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
22 January 2021
Saffron Support is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection 42 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were very positive about the support the service provided. They received care from regular, reliable and caring staff.
People were safeguarded from harm as systems were in place to protect them. Risks to people were assessed and monitored. Medicine practices showed people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff carried out infection prevention and control measures to minimise the risk of infection. Lessons had been learnt and improvements made as a result. Staff had been safely recruited with all checks undertaken.
Assessment processes were person centred and people's care needs had been recorded. Staff received induction, training and supervision to carry out their role. People were supported with eating and drinking. The service worked well in partnership with other professionals to ensure that people received the health care support they needed.
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.
Staff were very caring and kind and treated people with dignity and respect. People were supported to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their care and support.
People received personalised care that was responsive to their individual needs. Concerns and complaints were listened and responded to and used to improve the quality of care. People who were at the end of their life and their families received care and support from staff who were sensitive, compassionate and attentive.
The service had a clear vision for providing high quality care. Quality assurance systems had been developed to monitor the service and were very well managed. People were engaged and involved; the service continuously learnt and improved as it grew and worked in partnership with other services.
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 14 August 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.