Background to this inspection
Updated
5 October 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 an inspector and an Expert by Experience (EXE). An EXE is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal 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 there was not a registered manager in post. However, an application has been received for the current manager to become registered.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 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 19 August and ended on 8 September 2022. We visited the location’s office on 19 August 2022.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority, other health and social care professionals and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England. We used all this information to plan our 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.
During the inspection
We spoke with seven people and three relatives by telephone and we asked them about their experiences of the care provided. We spoke with or received responses to a questionnaire from six members of staff. This included, four members of the care staff, manager, care coordinator and the regional manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records, medication administration records and the daily notes recorded by care staff. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment, supervision and training. We also viewed a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures and training records.
Updated
5 October 2022
About the service
Care Solutions Nottingham is a domiciliary service providing care for people within their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 16 people using the 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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were protected from the risk of abuse and neglect. Risks to people’s health were assessed and reviewed to reduce the risk of them experiencing avoidable harm. Changes to environmental risk assessments were made to ensure they included how to make people safe in an emergency. There were enough staff to provide safe care. Medicines were well managed. Staff followed infection control policies and procedures, including COVID-19 guidance to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. Accidents and incidents were recorded. Amendments to the recording process had been made to ensure sufficient detail was recorded and time was given to review the impact of decisions made to reduce risk.
People’s needs were assessed prior to them receiving personal care. Staff were well trained, supervised and encouraged to develop their roles. Where needed people were supported with their meals and to maintain a balanced diet. People were supported to lead healthy lives; this included attending appointments with other health organisations.
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 felt listened to, they were able to make decisions about their care and they found staff to be kind, caring and respectful. Care was provided in a dignified and respectful way. Independence was supported and encouraged wherever possible.
People’s received person-centred care. People were able to make choices about the way they wanted their care to be provided. Staff ensured people with a sensory impairment were provided with information in an inclusive way. Formal complaints had not yet been received. Policies were in place to handle them appropriately. People felt able to raise concerns with staff and management if needed.
The service was well-led. The manager was not registered with the CQC but did have a good understanding of the regulatory requirements of their role. The provider actively sought people’s feedback. People felt they had positive experiences when speaking with office-based staff. People told us they would recommend this service to others. Staff felt their views mattered.
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 13 November 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.