Background to this inspection
Updated
9 August 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The inspection took place on 31 May 2018. This was an announced inspection where we gave the provider 48 hours’ notice. This was because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to make sure the manager, or someone acting on their behalf, would be available to support our inspection.
The inspection team consisted on one inspector. Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We reviewed notifications sent to us by the provider. Notifications are information about important events which the service is required to send to us by law.
We spoke with five people, three care staff, the administrator, the care liaison officer and the registered manager. During the inspection we looked at four care plans, three staff personnel files, medicines records and other records relating to the management of the service.
Updated
9 August 2018
The inspection took place on 31 May 2018 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice because the service provides domiciliary care and we wanted to make sure the manager, or someone who could act on their behalf, would be available to support our inspection. The service provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to 44 older adults.
The service was last inspected on 1 and 2 September 2016 and was previously rated as requires improvement. Action had been taken to address the breaches in regulation 12 and 18 identified at the previous inspection. At this inspection, we found the service to be rated as good.
Not everyone using Elite Care received a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.
There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People were told us they felt safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and the service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified. Medicines were administered and managed safely.
Where risks to people had been identified, risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to manage those risks. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe.
Staff had the training and skills required to support people effectively. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and applied its principles in their work.
People and their relatives told us the service was caring. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. The service had safe recruitment practices.
People knew how to make a complaint if they needed to. We observed a complaints policy and procedure in place and any concerns were investigated thoroughly. Areas for development and learning were identified and actions taken to improve the quality of the service.
The service was well managed and sought people’s views and opinions and acted upon them. There was a good level of communication and people spoke positively about the management team and organisation of the service.