Archived: SureCare Oxfordshire

Updated 24 May 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 20 April 2017 and was announced. We told the provider and registered manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because we needed to be sure the registered manager would be in the office. This inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Before our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included details of its registration, previous inspection reports and any statutory notifications submitted by the service. Notifications are information about important events the service is required to send us by law. In addition, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The PIR was returned as requested.

On the day of our inspection we spoke with the provider, registered manager, deputy manager, field co-ordinator and four care staff. We also spoke with five people and four of their relatives. We spent time looking at records, which included five people's support plans. We looked at four staff recruitment, training and supervision records. We examined information relating to the management of the service, such as quality assurance audits and reports. We also looked at the safeguarding adults and whistleblowing policies and procedures and the complaints policy. We also contacted external professionals for further feedback.

Updated 24 May 2017

The inspection took place on 20 April 2017 and was announced with 48 hours' notice. SureCare (Oxfordshire) is a domiciliary care agency registered to provide personal care in people’s own homes. At the time of this inspection the service was providing support to 53 people of which 39 people were receiving the regulated activity of personal care.

The service had 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.

At the last inspection in November 2016, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to safety with respect of risk management, medicines management and ensuring people received their visits. At this inspection on 4 April 2017 we found improvements had been made. Risk assessments in relation to people’s individual risks were in place. These set out how to support people in a way that mitigated the hazards identified.

People’s medicines were managed safely and records had been completed.

There were enough care staff deployed by the service to support people. Although a system was being implemented to ensure visits were completed by care staff this was not operational at the time of the inspection. We were therefore not confident that the service would always know if a person had not been visited if they were unable to alert the office themselves. Checks were carried out on care staff before they began working at the service. Care staff had the knowledge and received training on how to recognise and report concerns to keep people safe.

At the last inspection in November 2016, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to staff training and supervision. At this inspection on 4 April 2017 we found improvements had been made. People were supported by care staff that had the training and support from their managers to deliver effective care and carry out their roles and responsibilities.

The service followed the guidelines within the MCA and consent to care was sought before care was undertaken.

People’s hydration and nutrition needs were managed well. People were supported to have access to health professionals where needed.

People were supported by caring staff who took the time to get to know their needs. People were provided with information about their care and privacy and dignity was respected and promoted.

People had been assessed to determine if the service was able to meet their needs. Care plans were accurate, up to date and contained personalised information about people’s care and emotional needs and relevant personal history. Regular reviews of people’s care needs had taken place. People knew how to complain and complaints were responded to in line with provider’s policy.

At the last inspection in November 2016, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to their quality assurance systems. At this inspection on 4 April 2017 we found improvements had been made. The quality of the service was monitored and action taken if changes or improvements were needed.

The registered manager promoted a positive culture that meant people had personalised care from staff that cared for them. The service was well managed and care staff commented they felt supported and said how much they enjoyed their jobs. Records were well kept and were up to date which meant care was monitored closely.

At the last inspection in November 2016, we asked the provider to take action to make improvements to ensuring they notified us about important events. At this inspection on 4 April 2017 we found improvements had been made.