This inspection took place on 12 August 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we wanted to visit the office, talk to staff and review records.The service provides personal care and support to people who live in their homes in and around the Chesterfield area of Derbyshire. At the time of this inspection 24 people received support from the agency.
The 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. 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 service could not demonstrate all staff, including the registered manager, had maintained up to date skills and knowledge in areas relevant to people’s care and support, including safeguarding people and the Mental Capacity Act.
The provider did not have a policy in place on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and records did not always show that people’s consent to their care and support was obtained in line with guidance.
In addition, other policies had not been up dated to reflect changes. The registered manager had not always sent through statutory notifications as required.
Evidence of audits and checks to ensure the quality and safety of services were not evident for all areas of service provision.
People told us staff were competent and well trained and staff we spoke with understood how to care for people effectively. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and had regular contact with them.
Staff understood how to support people with their nutrition and hydration needs. Staff were mindful of people’s healthcare needs and supported people to access other healthcare provision when required.
Staff spoke confidently about how to record administrations of people’s medicine. However, the provider did not provide medicine administration (MAR) charts as requested to assure us people received their medicines as prescribed. The medicines policy did not provide instructions to staff on how to record medicines administration.
Risks to people’s health and risks in their homes were identified and assessed in care plans with people. Staff recruitment and deployment was managed safely.
People were cared for by staff who were friendly and caring. Staff knew the people they supported and provided consistent and regular support to people. Staff supported people with their independence and promoted people’s dignity and privacy. People were involved in planning their care and support.
People knew how to raise any worries or concerns. People received personalised and responsive care and their views and preferences were respected.
The service promoted an open and inclusive culture. The registered manager demonstrated and open and inclusive style of leadership.
We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the full version of the report.