Mrs Lynne Weatherly

Updated 13 July 2019

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

This 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 was registered to one person who is the provider and therefore the service does not require a registered manager. The provider was the registered person. 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 provider had overall responsibility for the service.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service short notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 17 June 2019 and ended on 27 June 2019. We visited the office location on 17 June 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR).This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We reviewed information we held about the service and events which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the visit to the office we spoke with the provider, a person using the service and a member of the care staff team. We looked at one person’s care records and looked at records in relation to the management of the service. These included two staff recruitment and training records, key policies and procedures and

quality assurance systems.

After the inspection

On 27 June 2019 we spoke with a relative and a member of staff.

Updated 13 July 2019

About the service

Mrs Lynne Weatherly provides a domiciliary care service to people living in their own houses or flats. The service provides both regular daily visits to people in their homes and some staff members, provide 24-hour support to people. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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 inspection three people were using the service.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were safe and protected from avoidable harm because staff knew how to identify and report any concerns relating to the risk of abuse. People told us that they felt safe with the staff.

Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were assessed, and action was taken to remove or reduce the risks. People were supported by enough staff who had been recruited safely. People's medicines were managed safely. Action was taken when medicine errors occurred. The provider was consulting with the pharmacist to make sure people received their medicines as safely as possible.

Staff had received training in infection control practices and personal protective equipment such as gloves and aprons was provided for them. The provider took appropriate actions following any incidents and learning was shared with staff to prevent re-occurrence.

The provider undertook assessments prior to people joining the service to make sure staff could meet their needs. Care plans were developed from these assessments and staff had clear guidance on how to meet those needs. The provider was in the process of transferring the care plans onto an electronic system.

People said that staff always stayed with them for the allocated time. People knew which staff would be supporting them on a day to day basis. Staff received the training they needed to look after people in the way that suited them best. Staff received support, guidance and advice from the provider. Staff supported people with their nutritional needs to help maintain their health and wellbeing.

Staff and the provider knew people well and quickly identified when people’s needs changed. When people were unwell or needed extra support, they were referred to health care professionals and other external agencies.

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. Staff communicated effectively with people and with each other to make sure people's needs were met in the way they had chosen.

People's relatives and other professionals praised the kind and caring nature of staff. People received consistent care from a small team of staff. People's care records were held securely at the providers office and in people’s homes.

People received care and support they wanted and needed. People's relatives told us they would be confident to raise any concerns with the provider and felt confident that they would be listened to. People were satisfied and happy with the care and support they received.

The provide and staff team were committed to providing a high standard of care to the people they supported. They understood their responsibilities.

People, relatives and staff members spoke highly of the provider and told us that they were always available and supportive. People, their relatives and professionals gave positive feedback about the service they received. They said the provider was approachable and sorted out any issues they had. Staff knew their roles and were able to tell us about the values and the vision of the service. There were adequate quality assurance measures in place.

Rating at last inspection:

The last rating for this service was Good – (published on 23 December 2016).

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. The service remained 'Good' overall.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Mrs Lynne Weatherly on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.