Background to this inspection
Updated
25 August 2021
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
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 houses and flats.
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 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 26 July 2021 and ended on 2 August 2021. We visited the office location on 26 July 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed the intelligence we held about this service and their CQC registration assessment report. 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 with two people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the Registered Manager, Director of Operations, Field Care Supervisor and two care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with the nominated individual who is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
Updated
25 August 2021
About the service
Unique Senior Care – Cheltenham and Gloucester is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care in people's own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing care and support to three 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and their relatives spoke positively about the quality of care and support they received from the service. They told us staff were kind and respectful and they felt safe when staff provided support to them. People told us they were treated with respect by staff who showed them compassion and understanding. Staff respected people's privacy and dignity and encouraged people to be as independent as possible.
Staff understood their role to report any concerns or incidents to the registered manager and their responsibility to protect people from abuse and harm. They told us they were confident any concerns they raised would be taken seriously by the registered manager.
Safe medicines management and infection control practices were used. People’s care records guided staff on the support they required and management of people’s individual health risks.
There were enough staff available to ensure people's care and support needs were met. The registered manager worked alongside staff and monitored their care practices and skills. People told us staff arrived on time and had sufficient time for their needs to be met without feeling rushed.
Staff had been safely recruited and had received regular training and supervision to effectively meet people's needs.
People were supported to have enough to eat and drink as required. Staff monitored people’s well-being and supported them to access healthcare services and professionals when they needed.
Staff had access to people's care plan which reflected their support requirements, preferences and levels of independence. Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. 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.
Quality assurance checks, observations of staff practices and feedback from people and their relatives were used to identify areas that required further development and drive improvement across the service.
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 12 August 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This service had not been inspected since their registration; therefore this inspection was carried out to gain assurances about the quality of care and systems used to monitor and the manage the service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.