Background to this inspection
Updated
17 March 2020
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
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 homes.
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. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 17 January 2020 and we visited the office on the 21 January 2020.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service, including information provided at registration.
The provider was not asked to complete a 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 of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person and one relative by telephone to find out about their experience of the care provided. We visited the office and spoke with the registered manager, provider, care supervisor, office administrator and three care staff. We reviewed a range of records. These included three care records, three staff files and records relating to the management and day to day running of the service. We looked at care and medication administration records and daily notes completed by care staff in people’s homes.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found and reviewed further evidence sent by the registered manager. We telephoned and spoke with one person using the service and one relative. We received feedback by email from a health professional who works at the service and two further care staff.
Updated
17 March 2020
Compass Homecare is a domiciliary care agency providing care and support to people living in their own homes. Compass Homecare delivers care to nine people. 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. Compass Homecare had only been trading for just over a year and was still growing and developing as a service. At the time of the inspection nine people were receiving care or support from Compass Homecare and four of these were receiving the regulated activity at this time.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were treated with dignity and respect. Care was tailored to the individual to ensure things that were important to the person were considered. People were partners in their care and were encouraged to share their views and be involved in how their care was provided. People told us they felt ‘listened to’ and ‘valued’. People spoke highly of the level of care and support shown by staff.
People's needs, and wishes were met by staff who knew them well. Staff found solutions to day to day problems to improve people’s lives. This included coming up with inventive ways of enabling people to wear the clothing of their choice and be able to eat appetising meals, which still followed guidance in relation to the person’s nutritional needs.
The service provided was bespoke to each person, this meant people received care and support that had been tailored to meet their care needs. People were supported safely, and risks regarding their care had been assessed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. People told us they saw carers as being friends and reiterated that the care team were part of their lives. People told us staff showed respect for their dignity and privacy. We saw clear evidence of trusting, caring relationships in place, and a commitment to support people at difficult times in a caring and respectful manner.
People’s views and feedback was sought and valued. People and their relatives were involved in the planning of care and any changes to the way care and support was delivered. Care plans were detailed. Care was delivered in ways that supported people’s safety, health and welfare. People’s needs, and choices were well documented and understood by staff. Individual communication needs were identified and recorded in care plans.
People’s health was monitored, and referrals made to other agencies if any issues were noted. The service worked collaboratively with other health care teams to provide consistent care for people. When further training needs had been identified, this had been provided for staff to ensure they had the knowledge and understanding to meet a person’s needs.
Specific guidance was in place regarding people’s nutritional needs and medicine procedures were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.
Care and support was delivered in line with current legislation and evidence-based guidance with regular reviews being completed. A consistent staffing group meant staff knew people well and understood their needs and preferences. People were encouraged to continue hobbies and interests that were important to them and supported to maintain relationships with friends and family.
Staff spoke highly about Compass Homecare as an organisation. They told us they felt supported by the registered manager and provider and loved their job. There were enough staff to ensure people received the care and support they needed as staff were recruited to meet a person’s care needs. Staff were safely recruited, well trained and supported by a dedicated team of office staff. There was also a 24 hour on call support.
The registered manager and staff placed emphasis on person centred high quality care. There was an open culture which was inclusive and valued people and their individuality. Staff were aware of their roles and responsibilities.
There was a comprehensive system of quality checks and internal audits to monitor care, documentation, safety and quality of the service provided.
The provider and registered manager attended forums and worked with local community groups and projects. This meant that best practice could be shared, and on-going learning was facilitated.
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 04/12/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.