Golden Care Group

Updated 27 April 2022

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

This inspection was carried out by an inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.

At the time of the inspection, the service did not have a registered manager. The previous registered manager had de-registered shortly before our inspection. This means the provider is legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

The inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure the provider would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity was carried out between 18 March and 1 April 2022. We visited the registered location on 22 March 2022 as part of our site visit to the service. Further inspection activity was completed via telephone and by email, including speaking with people who used the service, relatives and reviewing additional evidence and information sent to us by the provider.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection and sought feedback from professionals who worked with the service. 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 the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke one person who used the service, two relatives and two members of staff to obtain their feedback. We also met and spoke with the registered provider who was also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records, a selection of medicine administration records and four staff recruitment files. A variety of other records relating to the management of the service were also considered as part of the inspection.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found following our site visit.

Updated 27 April 2022

About the service

Golden Care Group is a domiciliary service which provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats and also operates a supported living service. 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. At the time of this inspection there were two people in receipt of the regulated activity personal care.

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

Staff were not recruited safely and in line with providers’ policy and procedure. References were not always obtained from previous employers to ensure staff were suitable for the role and of good character. One member of staff had also started working for the service before their disclosure barring service (DBS) check being in place.

Staff did not receive regular supervision as part of their ongoing development. Internal audits were carried out to monitor the quality of service and had identified supervisions were not being conducted. However, appropriate action had not yet been taken to address this concern. Staff recruitment was also not covered as part of the audit process to ensure correct procedures were in place.

There were enough staff available to deliver people’s care safely. Staff carried out routine COVID-19 testing and there was enough personal protective equipment (PPE) available which people confirmed was always worn. People who used the service and relatives said they felt the service was safe.

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. People received enough to eat and drink and said staff assisted them with this when needed. Staff told us enough training was available to support them in their roles.

We received positive feedback from people who used the service and relatives about the care provided. People said they felt treated with dignity, respect and had their independence promoted as required.

Individual care plans detailed the care and support required. There was a complaints system in place and people were supported to undertake activities within the community as needed.

People who used the service and staff provided feedback about their care through surveys and meetings. Staff spoken with during the inspection told us they felt the service was well-led.

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 24 January 2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as the service had not been inspected since registering.

Enforcement and Recommendations

We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.

We have identified breaches in relation to good governance and fit and proper persons employed. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.