Background to this inspection
Updated
20 August 2022
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
One inspector carried out this inspection.
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 that 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
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.
Inspection activity started on 04/08/22 and ended on 08/08/21. We visited the office location on 04/08/22.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we held about the service. This included notifications the provider is required by law to send us about events that happen within the service. 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.
During the inspection
During our inspection we spoke with the registered manager, a quality assurance consultant and the care co-ordinator, who also stepped in with caring duties when required. We looked at three people's care records and three staff files, as well as a range of other records about people's care, staffing and how the service was managed. We made contact with one person who used the service and another person’s family member. We also spoke with two members of care staff.
Updated
20 August 2022
About the service
Lambeth Care Services Limited is a small domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. At the time of our inspection three people were using the service and receiving 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 and their family members told us they were happy with the care and support they received from Lambeth Care Services and that they would recommend the service to others.
There were systems in place to help make sure people were protected from the risk of abuse. Staff were aware of safeguarding procedures and understood how to protect the people they supported. Staff knew the risks people faced each day and helped make sure they stayed safe. For example, staff knew about people’s risk of poor health or their risk when moving around their home.
People were cared for by staff who received training and support. The registered manager made sure only suitable staff were employed to work at the service. Staff felt supported by the registered manager and felt they could talk to them about any concerns they had. They were confident the registered manager would make changes to make things better .
People and their family members were involved in making decisions about their care and care records reflected this. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People and their family members liked their regular care staff. Staff knew people well and people's care records told staff how best to support them. When required, people were asked about their food and drink choices and staff assisted them with their meals when needed.
People and their family members said they would complain if they needed to and knew who to complain to. The registered manager made regular checks to make sure the care people received was good. When people’s needs changed the registered manager reviewed people’s care and support and made sure other healthcare professionals were involved if needed.
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 23 October 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
We inspected because we needed to be sure people were receiving appropriate, safe care and support.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.