Hammersmith

Updated 25 January 2020

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 site inspection was carried out by one inspector. An Expert by Experience contacted people who used the service and relatives after the date of the site visit. 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 houses and flats.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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 registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 17 December 2019 and ended on 8 January 2020. We visited the office location on 17 December 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we received about the service since their registration. 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. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection-

We spoke with one care consultant and one care administrator. We reviewed a range of records, this included care plans for all people who used the service. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, training and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two people who used the service, one relative, the registered manager and three care workers. We also spoke with the local authority who is responsible for placing people with Allfor Care Hammersmith.

Updated 25 January 2020

About the service

Allfor Care Hammersmith is a small domiciliary care agency, which provides personal care to people living in their own home. During the day of our inspection Allfor Care Hammersmith provided personal care to four people who used the service, which was carried out by five care workers.

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 did not receive any assistance in taking their medicines. However, we found that the records did not always consistently confirm this. The registered manager told us that they would review all care folders to ensure consistency. Information in care records was not always consistent with referral documentation in relation to people’s resuscitation status. The service had quality monitoring systems in place. However, we found that these were not always effective and did not pick up inconsistencies in records in relation to medicines support and people’s resuscitation status.

Risks to people's health and wellbeing were assessed and plans were in place to monitor people and to assist them in a safe manner. Care workers understood how to protect people from harm and were confident that any concerns would be reported and investigated by the registered manager. There were safe recruitment procedures in place to ensure new staff were suitable to work with people. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and enjoyed working in the service.

People told us staff were caring, respectful and encouraged their independence, protected their privacy and treated them with dignity. People confirmed they were involved in their care and feedback was actively sought about the quality of the care being provided. Staff felt supported in their roles.

People received care and support from staff who were trained and supported appropriately. Where people required support with their dietary needs and health, this was provided effectively. 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 received person centred care and were involved in their care planning. A complaints procedure ensured that complaints and concerns would be dealt with and people who used the service told us that they had raised concerns with office. People’s end of live care needs were discussed with them.

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 registered with us on 01/12/2017 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration and the date the service commenced to provide personal care.

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.