Background to this inspection
Updated
14 June 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
The inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type
Ajustar 24 Care Limited 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 a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
In line with our new approach we gave short period notice of this inspection and explained what was involved under the new methodology. Inspection activity took place on 11 May 2022
What we did before the inspection
We looked at all the information we held about the provider, which included information they provided us when they were registered. On this occasion, 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 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
This performance review and assessment was carried out without a visit to the location's office. We used technology such as video calls to enable us to engage with people using the service and staff, and electronic file sharing to enable us to review documentation.
We spoke with one person who used the service; six relatives, six care workers, the registered manager, deputy manager and two homecare coordinators. We reviewed a range of records. This included nine people's care 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.
Updated
14 June 2022
About the service
Ajustar 24 Care Limited is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes or flats. The domiciliary care agency is registered to provide a service to people over and under the age of 65 years old, some of whom are living with dementia. The agency also provides 24-hour live-in support.
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. At the time of the inspection, nine people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider’s quality assurance framework failed to consistently identify shortfalls or recognise how improvements could be made. We have made a recommendation for improvement.
People and their relatives spoke highly of the care provided. One relative commented, “The carers are lovely and so friendly. They always put a smile on my loved one’s face.” People felt safe in their home and with the staff who supported them.
People were involved and given choice about their day-to-day care and support. Staff treated people with dignity and respect. People received care that met their individual needs and preferences. People's care plans were reviewed and updated regularly to reflect their current needs. Staff had received training in equality and diversity. Care plans indicated people's religious, cultural beliefs and other protected characteristics.
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 using the service, their relatives and staff felt able to speak with the registered manager and give feedback about their experiences.
A recruitment process was in place to ensure staff were suitable for their role. Staff had completed an induction and received training which prepared them for their role. Staff skill and knowledge was checked by the registered manager.
People and staff found the registered manager to be approachable and felt confident that if concerns were raised, these would be addressed in a timely manner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This was the first inspection of the service since they were registered with us on 20 January 2021.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.
This was an 'inspection using remote technology'. This means we did not visit the office location and instead used technology such as electronic file sharing to gather information, and video and phone calls to engage with people using the service as part of this performance review and assessment.