Advance Home Help and Support Services Limited

Updated 17 March 2022

The inspection

We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.

Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken 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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This meant the provider was solely legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

Inspection activity started on 01 March 2022 and ended on 07 March 2022. We received feedback from three people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We received feedback from three care staff, and we had a video call with the nominated individual and the manager on 07 March 2022. (The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider) We reviewed a range of records relating to the management of the service, including two care plans and risk assessments, staff training records, evidence of monitoring staff practice and medication competencies.

Updated 17 March 2022

Advance Home Help and Support Services Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing care and support to older people ln their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were seven people using the service.

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

The provider did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. However, a candidate had been identified and the process had been started to apply for registration. People's care had not been negatively impacted upon, the manager applying to register had been in post since the agency started trading. People knew the manager and had no concerns.

People felt safe and protected from avoidable harm because staff knew how to identify and report any concerns relating to the risk of abuse. Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were assessed and support was arranged to remove or reduce the risks. People were supported by staff who had been safely recruited.

People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff received training and their competency was checked to help ensure they were properly skilled to safely administer medicines. Staff had received training in infection control practices and personal protective equipment was provided for them. The management team took the right action following any incidents and any learning from accidents or incidents was shared with staff.

Before care delivery started, the management team confirmed they could meet peoples’ needs. Staff received training and support to enable them to provide safe and effective care. Staff and management knew people well and quickly identified when people’s needs changed, and they sought professional advice appropriately. 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 and relatives praised the kind and caring nature of the staff and management. People received consistent care from a small team of staff who they knew well. People knew about their care plans and decided what care and support they needed. People said they would be confident to raise any concerns with the management team. Everyone we spoke with during this inspection was satisfied with the care and support they received.

The management team was committed to providing a high standard of care to the people they supported as well as the staff team and understood their responsibilities under the Duty of Candour. People, their relatives and staff spoke highly of the management team and said they were always available and supportive.

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 18 April 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration with CQC.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Follow up

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