Brendoncare Knightwood Mews

Updated 15 February 2023

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 two inspectors.

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 provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager for the service. However, they had recently transferred to another of the provider's locations. A new manager was in post who had started the process of registration with the CQC.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority service improvement and safeguarding teams. The provider completed 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 all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with 4 people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with and received feedback from 12 members of staff including the manager, deputy manager and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care records and medication records. We looked at 2 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 15 February 2023

About the service

Brendoncare Knightwood Mews is a domiciliary care agency providing person care and support to people in their own homes and flats. The service provides support to older people. At the time of our inspection there were 6 people receiving personal care.

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

The service people received from Brendoncare Knightwood Mews was safe, people told us they were happy with the care and support. Staff who worked for the service were happy and enjoyed their role.

There was a recruitment process in place. However, this was not always followed, we have made a recommendation to the provider about recruitment. Quality assurance systems were in place, we have made a recommendation about strengthening those systems in order to drive improvements within the service. A survey had been sent out to people using the service, with a plan to share the results and take actions where needed.

There were enough staff on duty. Staff had the necessary skills and experience to carry out their role. Staff felt supported and appreciated. People received their medicines as prescribed. Infection control procedures were robust. People had access to healthcare when needed and supported to maintain their physical needs, referrals where necessary were made in a timely manner. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink.

Risks people faced in their day to day lives were assessed, and person-centred care plans had been created to enable staff to support people whilst maintaining their independence. 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.

Staff were kind and caring, people were positive about the staff at the service. People had personalised care which met their needs. People had an opportunity to discuss their end of life needs and wishes. People knew how to make complaints and raise concerns, they felt confident they would be addressed. Communication needs and preferences were known to staff and detailed in care plans.

Staff knew their roles and responsibilities. Staff felt proud to work for the service and told us the manager was interested in increasing their involvement. The manager understood their role including their legal obligation to report concerns and notify CQC of certain events that occurred within the service. We received positive feedback about the manager and deputy manager of the service. People and staff were complimentary about the whole team at Brendoncare Knightwood Mews.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 10 August 2017).

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.