Care Assist Limited

Updated 1 December 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 11 October 2018 and it was announced. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming. We gave the provider notice of our inspection as we needed to make sure that someone was at the office in order for us to carry out the inspection. One inspector carried out this inspection.

Before our inspection, we reviewed information we held about the service. This included notifications and reports provided by the service and the local authority. The provider completed and returned to us a provider information return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

There were 19 people who used the service. We spoke with nine people who used the service and two relatives. We visited one of the two supported living accommodation and spoke with people there. We telephoned and spoke with people who lived in the other supported living accommodation. We spoke with the registered manager who was also the Head of Performance for the company, the deputy manager and six care workers. We obtained feedback from two care professionals who had involvement with people who used the service.

We reviewed a range of records about people’s care and how the service was managed. These included the care records for six people using the service, five recent staff recruitment records, staff training and induction records. We checked the policies and procedures and maintenance records of the service.

Updated 1 December 2018

We undertook this announced inspection on 11 October 2018. Care Assist Limited is registered to provide Personal Care services to people in their own homes. The services they provide include personal care, housework and assistance with medication. At this inspection the service was providing care for a total of 19 people with mental healthcare needs living in two supported living accommodation settings located in Harrow and Hillingdon.

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; In respect of supported living, this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

At our last inspection on 11 March 2016 the service met the regulations we looked at and was rated as overall Good.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People who used the service informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. They informed us that they had been treated with respect and they felt safe when cared for by care workers. There was a safeguarding adult’s policy and suitable arrangements for protecting people from abuse.

There were suitable arrangements for ensuring that people received their medicines as prescribed. Audit arrangements were in place and people stated that they had been given their medication.

Infection control measures were in place. Care workers assisted people in ensuring that their bedrooms and communal areas were kept clean and tidy.

Care workers had been carefully recruited and provided with a comprehensive induction and training programme to enable them to care effectively for people. They had the necessary support, supervision and appraisals from their managers. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Teamwork and communication within the service was good.

People’s healthcare needs were monitored and when needed, care workers arranged for people to have appointments with healthcare professionals. Care workers worked well with social and healthcare professionals to bring about improvements in people’s mental state.

Care workers were helpful and caring in their approach. They listened to people and were aware of the individual needs and preferences of people. There were arrangements for encouraging people to express their views and make suggestions regarding the care and management of the service.

People’s care needs and potential risks to them were carefully assessed. Care workers had been provided with guidance on how to care for people. People had appropriate and up to date care plans. People and their representatives were involved in care planning. Regular reviews of care had been carried out with people and professionals involved to ensure that people received appropriate care. People were encouraged to be as independent as they can and to engage in educational and therapeutic activities which they liked. The service had a complaints procedure. People knew who to complain to if they had concerns. Complaints made had been promptly responded to.

People who used the service and two care professionals expressed confidence in the management of the service. Audits and checks of the service had been carried out by the registered manager and senior staff of the company. These included checks on incidents, complaints, medicines administration and health and safety checks of premises. Care workers were aware of the values and aims of the service and this included treating people with respect and dignity, providing high quality care and promoting people’s independence.