Stockport

Updated 21 July 2022

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 service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 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

This is a small service, so we gave them 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since their registration. 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 this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. In addition, we spoke with three members of staff, the registered manager/provider and a director of the service, we looked at a range of records. This included one person’s care records and three staff recruitment files.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate evidence found. We looked at their quality assurance systems and training records for staff.

Updated 21 July 2022

About the service

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. At the time of the inspection the agency supported two people.

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

Processes for recruitment need to be more robust to ensure all checks were completed. We have made a recommendation about this. People felt their care was safe and the support was flexible and reliable from the agency. Staff demonstrated a good understanding about safeguarding people from the risk of abuse and training was provided. Staff managed medicines according to national guidelines. Staff followed infection prevention and control guidance and wore appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing personal care. Staff supported people using positive risk taking, supporting their independence.

The agency had a system and staff to ensure people received support and guidance with their healthcare and nutritional needs. they 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. Staff training was ongoing and comments from staff were positive about access and training courses on offer. Staff we spoke with confirmed this.

People told us staff were kind and patient when in their homes. One person said, “Lovely people, we don’t know how I would manage without them.” One person told us the management team contacted them to be consulted about the service and make changes where necessary. One person said, “We have only had them for a short time however they have contacted us for our views, and I like that they make changes to suggestions we have.” Staff protected people’s privacy and dignity and promoted their independence.

No complaints had been received however there was a complaints procedure which was made available to people.

The service at present is small however the management team had recently developed an auditing system which was ongoing to maintain oversight of the service and make improvements where necessary. A senior staff member said, “As we grow our Quality assurance and auditing systems will develop with it.” Quality assurance processes ensured people were able to give their views 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

The service was registered with us on 01/10/2020 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned first inspection based on their registration.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

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.