Eternal Homecare Reading

Updated 17 May 2023

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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by 1 inspector 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 houses and flats.

Registered Manager

This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.

At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.

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 looked at all the information we held about the service including notifications. A notification is information about events that the registered persons are required, by law, to tell us about. We checked information held by Companies House and we looked at online reviews. We contacted the local authority to gain feedback regarding the service. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with 6 people who use the service and 3 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 9 members of staff including the registered manager and care staff. We reviewed a range of records including 3 people’s care records and 3 medicines records. We looked at 4 staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed. 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.

Updated 17 May 2023

About the service

Eternal Homecare Reading is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people. The service provides support to older people and younger adults who may also have dementia or a physical disability. At the time of our inspection there were 9 people using the service.

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

We made a recommendation regarding recording of audits of care plans. The registered manager ensured the Care Quality Commission (CQC) was informed of notifiable incidents in a timely manner.

Medicines were safely managed. Incidents and accidents were reviewed on a regular basis.

People received care and support that was personalised to meet their individual needs. People's diverse needs were identified and their right to confidentiality was protected. There were contingency plans in place to respond to emergencies. The provider had sought feedback from people and families.

Staff felt they could visit people on time and stay the required time. The visits were scheduled using an online system and overseen by the care coordinator. People reported to be involved in their care plans and were supported to remain independent.

People and relatives reported they felt safe with the staff providing their support and care. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents or allegations of abuse. The staff team followed procedures and practices to control the spread of infection using personal protective equipment. People and their relatives who provided feedback said people were treated with care, respect, and kindness by the staff visiting them.

People felt safe in the care of staff and were protected from the risk of getting an infection. People had caring relationships with staff who promoted their privacy, dignity and independence. People's views were sought by the provider.

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's needs and choices were assessed and documented

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 9 December 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted by a review of the information we held about this service.

Recommendations

We made a recommendation regarding recording of audits.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.