ECHAD Services, a small domiciliary care agency in Harlow, received an overall rating of Good at its first inspection, with Safe, Effective, Caring and Responsive all rated Good. Well-Led was rated Requires Improvement due to gaps in formal quality audits, missing staff references, and undocumented competency checks, though the registered manager responded openly and took immediate remedial action.
Concerns (4)
moderate
Governance
— “not all the quality checks undertaken by the registered manager were formerly recorded. For example, we found there was no formal audits of staff files or competency checks of staff practice.”
moderateRecord keeping — “Improvements were required to ensure all recruitment checks were in line with schedule 3 of The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.”
minorStaff competency — “No formal competency checks of staff practice had been undertaken. However, the registered manager worked alongside staff.”
minorStaff training — “The registered manager was in the process of arranging for staff to receive end of life care training to ensure people had a comfortable, dignified and pain-free death.”
Strengths
· People received care from a consistent staff team enabling continuity of care; relatives confirmed staff arrived on time and were reliable.
· Staff received safeguarding training and knew how to report concerns to the local authority and CQC.
· Risk assessments were in place and regularly reviewed covering personal care, medicines, mobility and environment.
· Effective infection control processes in place; staff had access to adequate PPE.
· People and relatives spoke highly of staff, describing them as kind, respectful and going 'over and above'.
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
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: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies; supporting people to live healthier lives and access healthcareGood
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 ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsRequires improvement
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnership with othersGood