Background to this inspection
Updated
2 December 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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care and nursing care to people living in their own houses and flats.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection two registered managers were in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 22 September 2022 and ended on 15 November 2022. We visited the location’s office on 26 September and 15 November 2022.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on 9 August 2022 to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements. We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 6 members of staff which included both registered managers, a case manager, the training manager and 2 care staff. We spoke with 2 relatives. We looked at 2 care plans and medication administration records. We looked at staff training records, 2 staff recruitment files and records relating to health and safety and the management of the home.
Updated
2 December 2022
About the service
Jennifer M Whittall Ltd is a specialist provider which provides bespoke case management support and advice to both adults and children with life changing injuries, including spinal cord injuries and acquired brain injury. The provider also works with adults and children who have sustained life changing disabilities as a result of clinical negligence. Case managers work with people to set up and coordinate their rehabilitation, care and support needs. This is mainly funded by legal compensation claims. Jennifer M Whittall Ltd oversee the recruitment process, training and performance of staff employed directly by the people using the service. At the time of our inspection there were 5 people receiving support with personal care needs.
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 felt safe with the staff who supported them. The provider’s recruitment procedures helped to protect people from receiving care from unsuitable staff. Staff had been trained and knew how and when to report any concerns about people’s well-being to keep them safe. Risks to people were assessed and plans in place to mitigate those risks. People received their medicines when they needed them from staff who were trained and competent. The provider followed best practice in relation to infection control and prevention and management of risks relating to COVID-19.
People were assessed before they started using the service to ensure their needs and aspirations could be met. People were provided with food and drink which met their needs and preferences. People saw healthcare professionals when needed. People were supported by staff who were trained and competent to carry out their roles. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the provider's policies and procedures supported this practice.
People were supported by kind and caring staff whom they had personally chosen to support them. Staff respected people's wishes and treated them with respect. People lived their lives as they chose and were supported to be as independent as they could be. People and their relatives were regularly consulted about the care and support they received.
Staff knew people well and what was important to them. People were supported to continue with their hobbies and interests despite their life changing injuries. People’s communication needs were assessed and understood by staff. People's relatives did not raise any concerns about the care their loved one received but felt confident action would be taken to address any concerns they may have.
Staff received the supervision and support they needed to carry out their roles effectively. The views of people, their relatives and staff were sought and valued. There were effective systems to monitor and improve the quality and safety of the service provided. The provider worked in partnership with other professionals and people’s court appointed deputies to ensure good outcomes for people. The provider was aware of legal requirements and of their responsibility to be open and honest when things go wrong.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 14 October 2020 and this is the first inspection.
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.