Background to this inspection
Updated
20 December 2022
The inspection
We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.
Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.
Inspection team
The inspection was completed 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.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 72 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 able to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 03 October and ended on 20 October 2022.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person and one relative about their experiences of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager and care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two care plans and associated records. We looked at staff files in relation to recruitment and multiple records relating to staff training, supervision, and those relating to observations and monitoring staff practice. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, surveys and quality assurance records were also reviewed.
Updated
20 December 2022
About the service
DX Caring Services is a domiciliary care agency registered to provide personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were four people using the service.
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 felt safe when receiving care and gave positive feedback about their experiences with the service. Assessments were completed prior to people’s care packages commencing which included any risks to their health, safety and wellbeing. Staff were provided with clear guidance and knew how to work safely with people.
Staff had received safeguarding training and knew how to report any concerns they may have. The registered manager had a system in place to ensure that any concerns, incidents or untoward events were reported, and referred to partner agencies when required. The service had a culture of learning and staff were encouraged to reflect on their practice.
People received consistent care from a small number of staff who knew them well. Robust recruitment processes were followed to ensure the suitability of staff.
People told us that staff were kind, caring and respectful and had developed good relationships with them. Staff shared positive views on working at the service. They received training, spot checks and supervision and felt supported by management.
People’s needs were assessed and regularly reviewed, with people being involved in all aspects of their care and decision making. Care plans included information needed to support people in accordance with their wishes and preferences, including the outcomes they wished to achieve from receiving a service.
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 supported this practice.
The registered manager encouraged feedback and provided people, relatives and staff ways in which to share their views on the service on a regular basis. People and their relatives knew how to raise concerns or make a complaint.
The registered manager had good oversight of the service. The quality assurance system in place consisted of a variety of checks and audits across all aspects of the service. They maintained a ‘compliance tracker’ to monitor the performance of the service and ensure that any actions needed in response were taken promptly.
The registered manager was open, honest and positive. Their vision for the service was clear and reflected throughout their practices.
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 09 October 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.