Caremark Calderdale

Updated 24 August 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

This inspection was carried out by one 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 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

We gave the service short notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to give them time to prepare for our visit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inspection activity started on 24 June 2021 and ended on 18 July 2021. We visited the office location on 30 June 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection- We spoke with five people who used the service and nine relatives of people who used the service, about their experience of the care provided. During our visit to the office we spoke with the registered manager and the provider. We spoke with two members of staff over the telephone. We reviewed a range of records. These included two 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.

After the inspection

We continued to seek any clarification we needed in relation to records we had reviewed.

Updated 24 August 2021

About the service

Caremark Calderdale is domiciliary care agency which means staff go into people’s own homes to provide care and support. 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. At the time of the inspection there were 14 people using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

The provider had clear safeguarding policies and procedures in place to protect people from harm. Staff knew what to do if they thought someone was at risk. Risks were appropriately assessed and reviewed. Medicines were managed safely. Safe recruitment processes were in place to ensure staff were suitable to work with vulnerable people. Staff used Personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriately when supporting people.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and promoted independence; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Staff received induction training and followed a programme of continuous learning. Staff said they felt well supported. People’s needs were assessed, and care and support were reviewed as their needs changed. Appropriate referrals were made to external services to ensure people’s needs were met.

Feedback we received from people who used the service and their relatives was complimentary about the care staff. Staff involved people in decisions about their day to day care and consulted people regarding what they wanted.

Systems were in place to make sure the service complied with the Accessible Information Standards.

People’s care records documented the level of care and support required. They were up to date and were regularly reviewed. Documentation was being developed to make sure people’s end of life wishes were recorded. Complaints were investigated and responded to appropriately.

People, relatives and staff spoke highly of the management at the service. Systems were in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. People were provided with the opportunity to feedback on the service they received, and any issues were addressed. The service worked well in partnership with others to ensure the best outcomes for people.

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 28/05/2019 and this is the first inspection

Why we inspected:

This was the first inspection of a newly registered service.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.