Background to this inspection
Updated
16 January 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.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an Expert by Experience. 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. 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
This inspection was announced. Due to the pandemic, we gave a short period notice of the inspection to enable us to collate as much information as possible virtually to minimise the time spent by the inspection team visiting the office of Always There Domiciliary Care Limited.
Inspection activity started on 27 November 2020 and ended on 11 December 2020]. We visited the office location on 11 December 2020.
What we did before the inspection
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 16 people who used the service and five relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager and care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment, training and 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.
Updated
16 January 2021
About the service
Always There Domiciliary Care Limited provides care to people living in their own homes. 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.
At the time of inspection, the service was providing care to 30 people. However, only 12 people were receiving personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe. Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how to act on any concerns. Risk assessments were in place to help manage the potential risks within people's lives. People received their prescribed medicine by trained staff. Effective infection control processes were in place.
Recruitment procedures were safe. Staff had been recruited following relevant checks being completed. Staff received training to develop their skills and knowledge. They were well supported and worked effectively as a team. There were enough staff available to meet people's needs. People did not experience missed or late visits.
People and their relatives spoke positively about the kind, caring attitude of staff and were satisfied with the care and support they received. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and people's independence was promoted.
People were supported to maintain good health and access health care professionals. Where appropriate, referrals to health care professionals were made and recommendations were followed by staff. Where required, people were supported with their nutritional needs.
Care plans were person centred, detailing how people liked to be supported. People were consulted over their care and support needs and 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.
The service was well led. The registered manager provided clear leadership and was committed to providing high quality care. Staff felt valued and well supported. Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 11/10/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was carried out to check the safety and quality of the care people received.
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.