Care Solutions Recruitment Agency Ltd

Updated 2 April 2022

The inspection

We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.

Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken 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 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

In line with our new approach we gave short period notice of this inspection and explained what was involved under the new methodology.

Inspection activity started on 15 March 2022 and ended on 22 March 2022.

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 annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we held about the provider including statutory notifications received about key events that occurred at the service.

During the inspection

This performance review and assessment was carried out without a visit to the location’s office. We used technology such as telephone and video calls to enable us to engage with people using the service and staff, and electronic file sharing to enable us to review documentation.

We spoke with three people’s relatives, three care workers and the registered manager. We reviewed two people’s care records and records relating to staff recruitment, training, supervision and the management of the service.

Updated 2 April 2022

About the service

Care Solutions Recruitment Agency Limited provides personal care support to people in their own home. At the time of our inspection three people were receiving support. 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

People received support from staff that knew them well and had the knowledge and skills to undertake their roles. People received support from the same care workers. They had built friendly caring relationships with them and staff provided people with personalised care and support. Care workers were punctual and stayed the required length of time to provide people with the level of support they required.

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. People were involved in their care. Staff engaged with people and understood their preferences and how they liked to be supported.

When required, staff supported people with meal preparation. Staff were aware of any medical needs a person had and how this impacted on their independence.

Staff received regular training and were required to undertake refresher courses to ensure their knowledge and skills were up to date with good practice guidance. Staff felt well supported in their role and received regular supervision.

The manager regularly reviewed the quality of care delivered. This included a programme of regular telephone calls and spot checks. Staff, people and their relatives felt engaged with and listened to. Their views were taken on board and any improvements required were made.

This was an ‘inspection using remote technology’. This means we did not visit the office location and instead used technology such as electronic file sharing to gather information, and video and phone calls to engage with people using the service as part of this performance review and assessment.

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

Rating at last inspection and update:

This service was last inspected on 15 November 2019 but was not rated at that time.

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.