Background to this inspection
Updated
21 December 2019
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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and two Experts 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 CQC. 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
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 15 October and ended on 16 October 2019.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 22 people who used the service and 12 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 14 members of staff including the registered manager, assistant manager, trainer and care workers. We spoke with two health and social care professionals.
We reviewed a range of records. This included nine people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment 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.
Updated
21 December 2019
About the service
Springfield Healthcare is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to younger adults and older people, people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, who misuse drugs or alcohol, with mental health needs, a physical disability or sensory impairment. On the day of our inspection, there were 215 people using the service.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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 who used the service were safe. Risks to people's health and wellbeing were appropriately assessed and managed. Staff were safely recruited and sufficient in number to support the geographical area. There was good infection control practice embedded in the service. Systems were in place to ensure lessons were learnt when things went wrong.
The service was effective. People were supported to receive care in a person-centred manner and this was reflected in care planning. Staff acknowledged, and respected people's needs and choices. Staff were effectively trained in topics relevant to their role. Staff understood the importance of working with other healthcare professionals to ensure people were supported to live healthier and independent lives.
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 service was caring. People received individualised care and were supported by staff that were kind, caring and compassionate. Staff valued people as individuals and had formed caring supportive relationships with them. Staff knew how people preferred their care and support to be provided. People were placed at the centre of the service and were consulted on every level.
Respect for privacy and dignity was at the heart of the culture and values of the service. Activities were promoted at an organisational level and staff worked tirelessly to prevent social isolation.
The service was responsive. People had personalised care plans that promoted independence. Staff identified people's information and communication needs. People and relatives knew how to make a complaint and felt confident they would be listened to.
The service was well-led. Systems had been developed to review how the service was managed and to review the quality of the care provision. The registered manager understood the importance of gaining people's views about the quality of the service.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 20 April 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.