Background to this inspection
Updated
1 July 2022
The inspection
We carried out this performance review and assessment under Section 46 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act). We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations associated with the Act and looked at the quality of the service to provide a rating.
Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.
Inspection team
This inspection was undertaken by 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.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. This means they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 20 June 2022 and ended on 27 June 2022.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since initial registration. 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
We received feedback from two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We received feedback from six care staff and had a video call with the registered manager on 27 June 2022. We reviewed a range of records relating to the management of the service, including a care plan and risk assessments, staff training records, and evidence of monitoring staff practice.
Updated
1 July 2022
About the service
Living Plus Care Service Limited is a domiciliary care service providing personal care for people living in the community. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people receiving personal care.
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
People were safe and protected from avoidable harm because staff knew how to identify and report concerns relating to the risk of abuse. Risks to people’s health, safety and well-being were assessed and measures developed to remove or reduce identified risks. People were supported by staff who had been safely recruited.
People’s medicines were managed safely. Staff received appropriate training and had their competency assessed to help ensure they were sufficiently skilled and knowledgeable to safely administer medicines. Staff had received training in infection control practices and personal protective equipment was provided for them. The management team took appropriate action following any incidents and subsequent learning was shared with the staff team.
Before care delivery started assessments were completed to make sure people’s needs could be met. Staff received training and the necessary support to help them to carry out their roles effectively. Management and staff knew people well, they promptly identified when people’s needs changed, and sought professional advice appropriately. 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.
People and their relatives praised the kind and caring nature of the staff team. People received consistent care from a small team of staff. People knew about their care plans and could decide what care and support they needed. People and their relatives were confident to raise any concerns with the management team. Everyone we spoke with during this inspection was satisfied with the care and support they received.
The management team was committed to providing a high standard of care to the people they supported as well as the staff team and understood their responsibilities under the Duty of Candour. People, their relatives and staff spoke highly of the management team and told us they were always available and supportive.
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 14 April 2021 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration with CQC.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.