Background to this inspection
Updated
11 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. 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
On the first day the inspection team consisted of one inspector and an Expert by Experience who contacted people by telephone. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. On the second day one inspector and assistant 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.
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was becaused we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection site visit activity was carried out on 20 and 27 august 2019
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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with the key information about the 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 three people and one relative by telephone. We visited three people in their own homes. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, two operation managers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medicines records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervisions. 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 the training matrix. We received correspondence from two health professionals involved with the service.
Updated
11 September 2019
About the service
Beaminster Care at Home is registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service provided personal care and support to 52 people living their own homes in the Beaminster and surrounding areas.
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 caring, motivated staff who knew everyone very well and treated people as individuals and with dignity and respect. People were cared for by a consistent staff team who had received appropriate training to carry out their roles.
The provider had robust recruitment systems to ensure staff were safely recruited. Staffing levels were appropriate to meet the needs of the people using the service. however, some people told us their visits were not always on time. The registered manager told us they were reviewing their policy with regard the time scale people could wait for support.
Staff spoke knowledgably about the systems in place to safeguard people from abuse. The provider had a training programme that ensured people received care from staff with the correct skills and knowledge. Staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals to ensure they were fully supported in their role.
The provider actively sought feedback from people about their care and acted on the feedback received. People told us they were aware of the complaints procedure and received good responses when they contacted the office. Staff communicated with people in a way they understood. This meant people had access to the information they needed to make decisions about their care.
People received their medicines on time and as prescribed. Staff understood the importance of infection prevention and control and wore protective equipment appropriately when supporting people. Learning from accidents and incidents was analysed and shared with the team to reduce the chance of them happening again.
The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over 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.
Initial assessments were completed with people to establish whether the service would be able to meet their presenting needs. From the initial assessment a care plan was drawn up to show how people’s needs would be met by the service. People told us they had been involved in their assessments, and the reviews of their care plans.
Staff consistently demonstrated a kind and caring approach towards people. People’s privacy and dignity was supported at all times. People were supported by staff who were respectful and knew them well. People were encouraged to maintain their independence. People told us they felt respected by staff. One person said, “We respect them and they respect us.”
People we spoke with were very complimentary about the service and felt it was well led. The registered manager led by example, including working alongside staff. Staff felt included and encouraged to contribute their views and ideas.
The service worked alongside other providers in the local area and understood the importance and benefits to people of working closely with health professionals and did this to help maintain people’s health and well-being.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good ( published 2 February 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.