Background to this inspection
Updated
4 January 2019
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 28 November 2018 and was announced. We called the provider the day before the inspection. We gave them notice as it we wanted to make sure that we had access to all of the documentation that we needed and that any home visits could be arranged. One inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The role of the Expert by Experience at this inspection was to carry out phone calls to people who used the service and their relatives.
We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) before this inspection. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the previous inspection reports and any notifications received by the Care Quality Commission. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We contacted the local authority safeguarding and commissioning teams for feedback before the inspection.
During our inspection we spoke with 18 people who use the service and three relatives. We spoke with the registered manager and five members of care staff. We looked at five peoples care plans and the associated risk assessments and guidance. We looked at a range of other records including five staff recruitment files, training and supervision records, staff rotas and quality assurance surveys and audits.
Updated
4 January 2019
This inspection took place on 28 November 2018 and was announced.
The Garden of Kent Homecare is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to adults who want to remain independent in their own home in the community. Most of the people who use this service are older adults. This inspection looked at people's personal care service.
There was a registered manager in post who was present during the inspection. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager was also the provider.
At the last inspection in October 2017, the service received a rating of requires improvement. The provider was in breach of five regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008. At this inspection we found that the provider had made the required improvements and was compliant with all the regulations.
People and their relatives told us they felt safe and comfortable. Staff continued to receive training in how to safeguard people and understood their responsibilities to report any incidences or suspicions of abuse.
The registered manager had systems in place to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required.
Risk assessments were carried out to enable people to keep their independence and receive care with minimum risk to themselves or others. People received their medicines when they needed them from staff who had been trained and had their competency checked.
The provider made sure there was enough staff on duty. We found recruitment procedures were safe with appropriate checks undertaken before new members of staff commenced their employment. This helped to ensure, they were suited to work with people.
People received effective care and support from competent and well-trained staff. Staff were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills and knowledge required to support people with their care needs. Staff received a thorough induction at the start of their employment. All staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals.
Staff knew the people they were supporting well and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and included people's likes and dislikes.
People's health and nutritional needs were assessed and staff contacted relevant health care professionals for advice as necessary to help maintain people's wellbeing.
Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The provider and staff had received training on these. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.
There was also a policy on the Mental Capacity Act which was accessible to staff.
People were cared for with kindness and compassion. They were treated with dignity and respect and supported to maintain their independence.
People were supported to maintain their health, access health services and were given advice about how to eat healthily.
People had access to a complaints procedure and were confident any concerns would be taken seriously and acted upon.
The registered manager conducted regular quality assurance assessments to help raise standards and drive improvements.
People and their relatives told us the registered manager was a good manager. The culture of the service was open and positive. The registered manager was very supportive and was committed to providing quality services to people.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.