Background to this inspection
Updated
4 December 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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes.
The service had a registered manager. This means that they are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
Our inspection was announced. We gave the service 72 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a domiciliary service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support with the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed relevant information that we had about the service. This included the last inspection report and notifications the provider had sent us. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We sought and received feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed four care plans, which included risk assessments and four staff files, which included pre-employment checks. We looked at other documents such as training and quality assurance records. We spoke with the registered manager. We spoke with three care staff by telephone.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence we found such as looking at daily notes and training programmes. We spoke with 13 relatives. People using the service did not speak with us due to difficulties in communication.
Updated
4 December 2019
About the service
Shared Care Services Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care to people living in their own homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. At the time of our inspection, 44 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service
Systems were in place to ensure people were safe. The service had a safeguarding policy and staff knew how to deal with incidents of abuse. Each person had a risk assessment which described possible risks to them and provided guidance for staff to support people safely. Medicines were managed safely and staff used appropriate equipment to prevent the risk of infections. Pre-employment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to support people. The service had enough staff, who were able to meet people's needs. Systems were in place for recording incidents and accidents and, where appropriate, drawing lessons from them.
Assessments of needs had been completed before people started receiving care. Staff received induction, training, support and supervision to ensure they had the skills necessary to provide care. People's dietary needs were met and they had a choice of activities. Staff supported people to access healthcare in timely manner. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were kind and caring. Relatives told us they saw staff as part of their family. Staff ensured people's privacy and dignity was respected. Care plans detailed people's needs, including their communication, culture and religion. However, care plans were basic in detailing equality and diversity needs of people. We made a recommendation in this area. Care plans were formulated and reviewed with people's representatives or relatives' involvement.
Systems were in place to obtain feedback from people and relatives. Relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager. Information about how to make a complaint was available. The service did not provide end of life care but was developing systems to ensure this was in place for people who might need the service.
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 6 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
About the service
Shared Care Services Limited is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care to people living in their own homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. At the time of our inspection, 44 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service
Systems were in place to ensure people were safe. The service had a safeguarding policy and staff knew how to deal with incidents of abuse. Each person had a risk assessment which described possible risks to them and provided guidance for staff to support people safely. Medicines were managed safely and staff used appropriate equipment to prevent the risk of infections. Pre-employment checks had been carried out to ensure staff were suitable to support people. The service had enough staff, who were able to meet people's needs. Systems were in place for recording incidents and accidents and, where appropriate, drawing lessons from them.
Assessments of needs had been completed before people started receiving care. Staff received induction, training, support and supervision to ensure they had the skills necessary to provide care. People's dietary needs were met and they had a choice of activities. Staff supported people to access healthcare in timely manner. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were kind and caring. Relatives told us they saw staff as part of their family. Staff ensured people's privacy and dignity was respected. Care plans detailed people's needs, including their communication, culture and religion. However, care plans were basic in detailing equality and diversity needs of people. We made a recommendation in this area. Care plans were formulated and reviewed with people's representatives or relatives' involvement.
Systems were in place to obtain feedback from people and relatives. Relatives and staff spoke highly of the registered manager. Information about how to make a complaint was available. The service did not provide end of life care but was developing systems to ensure this was in place for people who might need the service.
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 6 June 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.