First inspection of a small domiciliary care agency rated Good across all five key questions, with people feeling safe and well cared for by a responsive registered manager. Minor improvements were identified around care plan review frequency, end of life documentation and training, and developing more robust auditing systems.
Concerns (5)
minor
Care planning
: “We identified a risk assessment was missing for one person which the registered manager put in place straight away.”
minorCare planning: “Care plans were reflective of people's current needs and had been reviewed but not as regularly as the company policy stated.”
minorEnd-of-life care: “People's wishes and preferences had not been documented in their care plan... staff had not completed any training.”
minorGovernance: “as this was a new provider, their systems for auditing were not yet established. There were some audits in place and the registered manager was working towards a more robust auditing system.”
minorInfection control: “they had only been able to do one test a week for the previous two weeks due to difficulties with supplies, but this was now resolved.”
Strengths
· People told us they felt safe and comfortable with the staff in their own homes.
· Staff had been recruited safely with DBS checks and references in place.
· Staff had completed an induction and mandatory training, with competency monitored through spot checks.
· People felt respected and cared for; staff had a caring attitude and treated people like family.
· Person-centred, flexible care with continuity of staff valued by people.
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare servicesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred culture; engaging and involving people and staffGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; duty of candourGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnership with othersGood