Highworth Care Ltd, a small domiciliary care agency supporting five people, received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in December 2021. The service demonstrated strong person-centred care, safe medication and infection control practices, and effective governance led by a committed registered manager.
Strengths
· People felt safe and staff were consistently punctual and familiar to service users
· Staff received safeguarding training, medication training, and competency assessments
· Care plans were person-centred, documenting individual preferences, diversity needs, and communication requirements
· People and relatives were involved in care planning and decision-making from the outset
· Strong infection control practices with plentiful PPE supply confirmed by relatives
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 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: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and controlGood
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: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood