Background to this inspection
Updated
18 February 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 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 registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 27 January 2020 and ended on 5 February 2020. We visited the office location on 29 January 2020.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, and a care worker. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at one staff file in relation to recruitment. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the Inspection
We spoke by telephone with four people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. Also, we spoke with one professional who regularly worked with the service.
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
18 February 2020
About the service
Here4care is a small domiciliary service providing personal care to eight people living in the community at the time of the inspection.
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 were supported by staff who understood how to safe guard people, keep them safe and protect them from avoidable harm. Knowledgeable, skilled staff were available to meet people's needs. People’s risks were assessed, and plans were in place to guide staff. Staff followed safe systems for management of medicines when people needed support with this. Staff understood and followed infection control and prevention procedures. Systems were in place to investigate incidents and accidents to ensure lessons were learnt.
People's needs were assessed, and care was planned to meet legislation and good practice guidance. Care was delivered by staff who were trained and knowledgeable about people's needs and wishes. People had support with their meals and access to health care when needed. 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 were being implemented to support this practice.
People were cared for by passionate staff and registered manager, who provided quality care and supported people well. Staff were kind and compassionate towards them, and people considered them friends. People and their relatives felt involved and supported in decision making. People's privacy was respected, and their dignity maintained.
People and their relatives were positive about the service and the care provided. Staff had the information they needed to provide personalised support. People benefitted from a small and personal service that was flexible to meet any changes in their needs. People's concerns were listened to and changes made to improve the service. When people needed support at the end of their life staff were skilled and there were systems in place to provide quality support.
The registered manager and staff were open, approachable and it was important for them to provide person centred care. People knew staff and the registered manager and benefitted from good communication with them. People were supported by staff who were regularly monitored to ensure the quality of the care provided. Staff and the registered manager established good relationships with other professionals.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us on 29/01/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
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.