Background to this inspection
Updated
8 September 2021
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the agency in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
One inspector carried out this inspection.
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 agency 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 a short period of notice for the inspection because of the Coronavirus pandemic. We had to arrange safe working procedures for our inspection.
Inspection activity started with telephone calls to people, relatives and staff on 11 August 2021 and ended with a site visit to the office on 16 April 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the agency since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the agency. The provider completed a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the agency, what the agency does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the agency and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the provider, registered manager, three care workers and the office administrator.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two care worker files in relation to recruitment 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.
Updated
8 September 2021
About the service
Filey Home Care is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to 13 younger and older adults within their own homes.
Not everyone who used the agency received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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
The provider and registered manager were working through their action plan of improvements for the agency, aimed at developing their existing systems and making them more robust. We were shown examples of improved documentation for recruitment, care records, risk assessments and quality assurance audits during our inspection.
People benefited from the quality assurance processes within the agency. The provider assessed, monitored and reduced risk to people’s health and safety. The management team carried out regular reviews and spot checks to ensure the quality of the agency and the safety of people who used it.
People had input to their care and support and their wishes and choices were listened to and actioned. Care plans and risk assessments were in place and reviewed; paper-based records were kept in people’s homes and a copy was in the office. Care workers were good at ensuring changes to people’s needs were recognised and records were updated straight away. The management team monitored this and completed regular audits.
People confirmed that they had a tailored package of care to meet their needs. Without exception, people said they felt safe and care workers were respectful.
People received their medicines safely and their health was well managed.
People received good consistent care from friendly care workers who went out of their way to assist them. Relatives and people said the agency was reliable and efficient. They had good communication with the office and received regular updated information during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People said their care workers were skilled and competent. Care workers had received appropriate induction, training and support to enable them to carry out their role.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and care workers supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the agency supported this practice.
People, relatives and care workers told us the management team were approachable and listened to them when they had any concerns. All feedback was used to make improvements to the agency.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This agency was registered with us on 21 June 2019 and this was the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the fact this is a new agency and yet to be rated.
We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care service inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the agency can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the agency until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.