Background to this inspection
Updated
9 May 2019
The inspection:
We carried out our inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. Our inspection checked whether the provider was 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.
Inspection team:
Our inspection was completed by one inspector and an expert-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. Our expert-by-experience had knowledge about personal care of adults within the community.
Service and service type:
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. It provides a service to older adults and people with dementia.
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:
Our inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours' notice of the inspection because staff were often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
What we did:
¿ Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service. We also checked feedback we received from members of the public and local authorities.
¿ We asked the service to complete a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
¿ During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager and a care co-ordinator.
¿ We reviewed seven people's care records, six staff personnel files, audits and other records about the management of the service.
¿ We requested additional evidence to be sent to us after our inspection. This was received, and the information was used as part of our inspection.
After the inspection, we spoke by telephone with three people who used the service, five relatives and six care staff.
Updated
9 May 2019
About the service:
Barking Enterprise Centre provides personal care to people who live in their own homes. The service's office is based in Barking and Dagenham, London. At the time of our inspection, 68 people used the service and there were 36 staff.
People's experience of using this service:
¿ Although the service had enough staff to provide care, staff did not always arrive and leave on time. We asked the registered manager to make improvements on this. However, we found the service had made improvements since our previous inspection and was providing more safe and effective care.
¿ The staff recruitment process was robust ensuring that staff were properly checked and were provided with induction, training, supervision and support to deliver safe care.
¿ People's needs were assessed before they started receiving care. The registered manager was confident that the service could meet the needs of people using the service.
¿ Adult safeguarding protocols were in place and staff had knowledge and experience to follow correct procedures to identify, record and report concerns of abuse.
¿ Risk assessments were completed and reviewed for people. Staff were given guidance on how to mitigate risks to people.
¿ People and their relatives were involved in care plan reviews.
¿ Staff ensured that people's privacy, dignity and choice were respected. People were encouraged to be independent and to make decisions about their care.
¿ Staff had a good understanding of equality and diversity.
¿ Medicines were managed well. Where people needed support, staff administered medicines and kept records.
¿ Staff knew how to reduce the risk of infections. They had access to personal protective equipment such as gloves, shoe covers and aprons.
¿ Staff supported people to access health professionals and emergency medical services, when needed.
¿ Where required, staff supported people with meals of their preference.
¿ There was a clear management structure and people and relatives spoke positively about the registered manager.
¿ The quality of the service was regularly monitored, and the registered manager encouraged people and relatives to share their views about the care provided.
¿ The service worked with care professionals to plan and deliver an effective service.
¿ The registered manager took complaints seriously. This ensured that all complaints were investigated and responded to.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection:
¿ At the last inspection on 14 February 2018, (report published on 25, April 2018), the service was rated 'Requires Improvement'.
¿ At this inspection, the rating for the service improved to 'Good'.
Why we inspected:
¿ This was a planned inspection based on their previous inspection rating. We found the service met the characteristics of Good in four areas.
Follow up:
¿ We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.