G S Social Care Solutions Ltd

Updated 17 October 2019

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.

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, flats and sheltered housing.

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. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that 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. We sought feedback from local authority commissioners of service and safeguarding teams. 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection-

We talked with people who used the service about their experience of the care and support provided. This included one person at the agency office and four people and three relatives by telephone. We spoke with four support workers, one care coordinator, a senior care coordinator, the registered manager and nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We looked at a variety of service records. This included three people's care records, two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision records. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including complaints records, meeting records and quality monitoring checks. Policies and procedures were reviewed. We looked around the facilities provided at the agency office.

After the inspection

We received further information from the registered manager and provider to support the evidence we found.

Updated 17 October 2019

GS Social Care Solutions Ltd is a domiciliary care service, providing personal care and support to

adults and children living in her own homes. The range of people’s needs included, learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities and older people living with a dementia. At the time of the inspection 86 people were using the service, with 50 people receiving personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. However, where they do offer other services, we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People and their relatives told us they felt safe with the service. Staff had received training on safeguarding children and adults at risk. Staff were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse, they knew what to do if they had any concerns. Recruitment practices made sure checks were carried out before staff started work. There were enough suitable staff available to provide safe care and support; staffing arrangements were kept under review. Staff followed processes to manage people's medicines safely. Health and safety was monitored and risks to people's individual well-being were being assessed and managed.

Processes were in place to find out about people's backgrounds, their needs, abilities and choices before they used the service. 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.

The provider ensured staff had access to ongoing training, development and supervision.

Staff encouraged people to lead healthy lifestyles. They were supported as appropriate with their healthcare needs and medical appointments. People were given support as necessary with meals and drinks, healthy eating was monitored and promoted.

People made positive comments about the staff and managers. One person told us, “I’m happy with everyone from GS Social Solutions.” Staff knew people well and were respectful of their choices and lifestyles. People's privacy and dignity was respected. People were enabled to be independent and develop their life skills.

People received personalised care and support. They were supported as appropriate, to engage in community-based activities, learn skills and achieve goals. People had contact with families, friends and acquaintances. The provider had processes in place to support people with making complaints.

Management and leadership arrangements supported the effective day to day running of the service. People were treated as partners in managing their individual support. One relative said, “They are a good service and the quality of care is excellent.” The provider used a range of systems, to regularly monitor and improve the service. There were processes to consult with people about their experiences of the service and make any improvements.

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 6 January 2017). Since this rating was awarded, the service has moved premises. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.