Mass Home Care

Updated 4 October 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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out 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 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 a short period of 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 31 August 2022 and ended on 1 September 2022. We visited the location’s office on 31 August 2022.

What we did before the inspection

We looked at the information we had received from and about the provider since it was registered with us.

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 information gathered as part of monitoring activity that took place on 8 April 2022 to help plan the inspection and inform our judgements.

We used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service and four relatives. We also spoke with three members of staff.

The registered manager was not available at the time of the inspection, but the provider’s nominated individual was present for the inspection and feedback. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

During the inspection we looked at a variety of records relating to people’s individual care and the running of the service. These included; four care and support plans, four staff files, staff training information and records of complaints made.

Updated 4 October 2022

About the service

Mass Home Care is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 15 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

People were very happy with the care and support they received from the agency and said they would recommend it to others.

People felt safe and comfortable with staff who supported them. People were cared for by small teams who they were able to get to know and build trusting relationships with. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns about people’s safety and well-being.

Risks to individuals were assessed and measures put in place to reduce risks identified. The provider had a contingency plan to deal with major issues such as extreme weather or severe staff shortages.

People felt the service enabled them to maintain their independence and were fully involved in planning their care and support. Staff promoted people’s independence and respected their right to make choices.

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 received care that was personalised to their needs and wishes. Comprehensive individual care plans supported staff to provide individualised care and support.

People praised the staff who cared for them. All said staff were extremely kind and polite. Some told us they enjoyed “having a laugh” with staff who visited them.

The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided and seek people’s views. There were regular management meetings and a three-monthly audit. There were also spot checks of care provided in people’s homes.

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 16 June 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 since it was first registered with the Care Quality Commission.

Follow up

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