We carried out a review of the data available to us about In Home Care Chelmsford on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about In Home Care Chelmsford, you can give feedback on this service.
In Home Care Chelmsford is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of inspection, the service was providing personal care to 27 people.
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.
People's experience of using this service and what we found
A few months before our inspection the service had experienced a significant outbreak of COVID-19. During this period there had been a dip in the usual quality of staffing and communication. Despite this, feedback about the culture of the service and care provided from people and their representatives was largely positive.
The provider had a range of quality checks and systems to support them to have oversight of the service, however these had not been effectively implemented. Not all office staff were working and sharing information consistently.
The registered manager took prompt action when concerns were raised. Improvements were needed as the service grew to ensure good oversight of these actions and that any learning was used to improve the service in a sustained way.
There was minimum impact from the lack of effective systems. Electronic systems provided daily alerts to ensure people received their care as required. The provider promoted a caring culture. As the service was still small, staff knew people well and provided personalised support. The provider engaged well with people, their representatives, staff and external professionals.
There was a commitment to drive improvements. The provider had recruited a new, experienced branch manager however they had not been in post long enough to make the necessary improvements.
The registered manager minimised risk across the service. Risk assessments were personalised, and care plans provided staff with detailed guidance on how to support people safely.
There were enough safely recruited staff to support people safely. Office staff had stepped in during the COVID-10 outbreak to keep people safe. Safeguarding practices protected people from the risk of abuse. Staff supported people to take their medicines safely, and as prescribed. The registered manager minimised the risk of infection from COVID-19.
Staff had the necessary guidance and training to help them support people in a person centred manner, in line with their preferences. Staff were well supported and gave us positive feedback about the service. People received the necessary support to eat and drink. Staff worked with external professionals to promote people's wellbeing, referring for support when necessary.
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 supported people in a respectful manner, promoting their independence and choice. Staff communicated with people in a way they understood.
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 December 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection of a newly registered service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.