Care Services Thirsk Ltd

Updated 8 July 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

An inspector and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. 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 homes.

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 24 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.

Inspection activity started on 31 May 2023 and ended on 14 June 2023. We visited the location’s office on 31 May 2023 and 5 June 2023.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

During the inspection we spoke with 14 people who used the service and 7 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with and obtained feedback from 11 members of staff including the deputy manager, 8 care workers and the 2 directors (1 of whom was the registered manager and nominated individual). The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We received feedback from 1 professional who works with the service.

We reviewed a range of records. This included 5 people’s care records, 3 staff recruitment files and medication records for 4 people. A variety of documents relating to the management of the service, including policies, audits and training records, were reviewed.

Updated 8 July 2023

About the service

Care Services Thirsk Ltd is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 63 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. At the time of our inspection there were 56 people using the service who received personal care.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were protected from the risk of abuse and people told us they felt safe. Risks to people were assessed, monitored, and managed appropriately. Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to support people. People’s medicines were managed safely, and people were supported to administer their own medicines where safe to do so. Staff had received appropriate training in the prevention and control of infection, including in food hygiene.

People’s needs were assessed, and care was delivered in line with best practice. Staff had received appropriate training to enable them to safely support people. Where needed, people were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. 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.

Staff treated people with kindness and respect. Staff had enough time to support people in a way which was not rushed. Staff supported people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their care. Staff supported people to be independent wherever possible.

Support plans were person-centred and took into account people’s social histories, interests and strengths. People were supported by a consistent staff team where possible. People’s communication needs were met. People were supported to maintain relationships and avoid social isolation. Complaints were dealt with appropriately.

The service was well-led and there was a positive culture amongst staff. Effective quality assurance processes were in place and management understood their regulatory responsibilities. Staff felt supported in their roles and the provider engaged well with staff and people who used the service. The management team were pro-active in engaging with other organisations and were committed to continuous learning and improvement.

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 has moved address. The last rating for the service at the previous premises was good (published 27 July 2019).

This service was registered with us at the current address on 26 May 2022 and this is the first inspection at the current premises.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to assess the standard of care delivered by the service and award a rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.