Background to this inspection
Updated
8 January 2020
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 team consisted of 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.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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 it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with nine members of staff including the registered manager, senior care workers, support workers and the care co-ordinator.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. 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. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with two professionals who regularly work with the service.
Updated
8 January 2020
About the service
New Doves Care is a domiciliary care agency that provides support for children, people living with dementia, learning disabilities and/ or autism. At the time of the inspection there were 14 people who were being supported with the regulated activity.
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.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were cared for by staff who knew how to keep them safe and protect them from avoidable harm. Knowledgeable, skilled staff were available to meet people's needs. People’s risks were assessed and plans in place to guide staff. Safe systems were in place for the management of medicines when people needed support with this. Staff understood and followed infection control and prevention procedures. Systems were in place to investigate incidents and accidents to ensure actions were taken to prevent recurrence.
People's needs were assessed, and care was planned to meet legislation and good practice guidance. Care was delivered by staff who were trained and knowledgeable about people's needs and wishes. 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 were being implemented to support this practice.
People were cared for by staff and the management team who provided quality care and supported people well. People were supported by staff who were kind and considerate towards them, who people considered friends. People and their relatives felt involved and supported in decision making. People's privacy was respected, and their dignity maintained.
People and their relatives were positive about the service and the care provided. Staff had the information they needed to provide personalised support. Support provided was adaptable where possible to support people’s individual needs. People's concerns were listened to and changes made to improve the service. When people needed support at the end of their life the service had skilled staff and systems in place to provide quality support.
The management team were open, approachable and it was important for them to provide person centred care. People knew the management team had good communication links. People were supported by staff who were regularly monitored to ensure the quality of the care provided. The management team and staff established good relationships with other professionals.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
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 10/10/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
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.