MyCare Home Services Ltd achieved a Good overall rating at this focused inspection of Safe and Well-led, having improved from Requires Improvement at its previous 2019 inspection. The service demonstrated robust risk management, safe medicines administration, effective governance systems and a positive person-centred culture under experienced nursing leadership.
Strengths
· Risks to people's safety and wellbeing were assessed, monitored and managed with regularly reviewed risk assessments including management plans.
· Sufficient staff recruitment checks including identity, employment history, skills and knowledge, with regular competency assessments.
· Electronic call monitoring system confirmed care workers arrived on time and stayed for the agreed length of time.
· Medicines administered safely with trained staff whose competencies were regularly assessed; provider liaised with prescribers and pharmacists.
· Effective infection control systems with PPE provision and COVID-19 adapted procedures.
MyCare Home Services Ltd, a small domiciliary care agency, was rated Requires Improvement overall at its first inspection, with Safe and Well-Led both requiring improvement due to gaps in risk management plans, recruitment reference verification, medicines recording, and quality assurance audits not completed for six months. Effective, Caring, and Responsive were all rated Good, with people and relatives reporting positive experiences of kind, dignified, and personalised care.
Concerns (4)
moderateGovernance: “The provider had a range of quality assurance processes in place, but these had not been completed regularly...had not been completed for the previous six months.”
moderateCare planning: “where a specific risk was identified during the need's assessment...a risk management plan had not been developed to provide guidance for care workers”
moderateRecord keeping: “The registered manager did not carry out checks to ensure the person named on the reference had in fact completed the form.”
moderateMedication management: “During the inspection we discussed how the administration of medicines should be recorded with the registered manager and they confirmed training was being arranged.”
Strengths
· Detailed needs assessments completed before care packages started; care plans described care and support in line with individual preferences.
· Care workers received mandatory training and induction before providing care, and had regular supervision with management.
· People and relatives reported feeling safe, satisfied with care quality, and treated with dignity and respect.
· Staff demonstrated good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and supported people to make decisions.
· Clear complaints process in place; relatives knew how to raise concerns and felt issues were handled appropriately.
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementRequires improvement
safe: Staffing and recruitmentRequires improvement
safe: Using medicines safelyRequires improvement
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to meet people's needs, preferences, interests and give them choice and controlGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careRequires improvement
well-led: Planning and promoting person-centred, high-quality care and support with opennessGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood