Updated 10 November 2021
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 two inspectors and an Expert 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 homes.
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
This inspection was unannounced.
Inspection activity started on 1 September 2021. We visited the office location on 1 September 2021 and 7 September 2021. We were unable to conclude our inspection activity due to the provider formally notifying us on 7 October 2021 the service had closed before the inspection ended.
What we did before the 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. We used information we had received from the local authority and that submitted to us by the provider from the date the service was first registered with the Care Quality Commission. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service and eight relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with eleven members of staff including the two directors, registered manager, assistant manager, senior care workers and care workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
The registered manager also held the position of nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.
After the inspection
We were unable to fully validate evidence found during the inspection. Whilst we received some information during inspection activity, we required further information from the provider. Further information and explanations requested were not provided, so a further inspection day was planned. The provider closed the service prior to a further inspection visit so we were unable to obtain the information and explanations required to conclude the inspection.