Agape Healthcare Limited

Updated 10 September 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection team consisted of 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

We visited the office location on 20 August 2019.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed the records held on the service. We also reviewed notifications received from the provider about incidents or accidents which they are required to send us by law. We sought feedback from the local authority and other professionals who work with the service. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager and one senior carer. We looked at three people's care records to see how their care was planned and delivered. Other records we looked at included two staff recruitment files, supervision files, training records, accidents and incidents, records relating to health and safety, safeguarding, complaints, medicine records, staff scheduling and the provider’s audits and checks on the service.

On 21 August we telephone and spoke to two people who used the service, two care staff, two relatives and two professionals who have links with the service.

Updated 10 September 2019

About the service: Agape Healthcare is a domiciliary care agency that provides personal care and support to younger adults and older people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection, the service was providing support to 5 people.

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

People were supported by staff that were caring, compassionate and treated people with dignity and respect. Any concerns or worries were listened and responded to and used as opportunities to improve.

People received person centred care and support based on their individual needs and preferences. Staff were aware of people's life histories and individual preferences. They used this information to develop positive, meaningful relationships with people.

People and their relatives told us they felt cared for by staff who treated them with respect and dignity. People were encouraged to maintain relationships and keep their independence for as long as possible.

The provider ensured people had consistency with staff members, as a result people and staff were able to build positive relationships. People were supported by staff who had the skills and knowledge to meet their needs. Staff understood and felt confident in their role.

Staff liaised with other health care professionals to ensure people's safety and to meet their health needs.

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 spoke positively about working for the provider. They felt well supported and they could talk to management at any time, feeling confident any concerns would be acted on promptly. Staff felt valued and happy in their role.

Audits were completed by staff and the registered manager to check the quality and safety of the service.

The registered manager and care coordinator worked well to lead the staff team in their roles and ensure people received a good service.

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (published 15 March 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.

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