A&A Homecare Ltd

Not everyone using 'A&A Homecare Ltd T/A My homecare' receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

At the time of this inspection 15 people were using the service, 10 of whom were receiving personal care.

Systems were in place to monitor the quality of service provision and to drive continuous improvement, although these did require strengthening to ensure all legal requirements were consistently met and to drive continuous improvement. We identified some other areas requiring improvement too during the inspection such as: staff recruitment records, ensuring lasting power of attorney decisions are checked, recording information about how people's communication should be met and making sure care plans contain clear information for staff about who is responsible for carrying out tasks, particularly where family members are also involved in providing care and support.

However, we found no evidence that people had been placed at risk of harm or that their experience of using the service had been affected negatively. The management team responded positively and provided us with an action plan shortly after the inspection which addressed all the areas we identified for improvement. They told us that as a relatively new service, they were keen to learn and improve things for people using the service.

People we spoke with were positive about the service. They told us the care and support they received was reliable and helped to improve their quality of life. They said staff provided care and support in a kind, compassionate way and their privacy, dignity and independence was respected and promoted. This meant that people were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

In addition to the people we spoke with, four more people had provided recent feedback about the service online (on the Internet) which echoed the feedback we received. For example, one person had written, 'An excellent service carried out by professional and friendly staff. The morning visit always start the day off very well. They are encouraging, supportive, like friends looking out for your best interests. I am very grateful for all their care and concern.'

Staff knew how to protect people and keep them safe. They had the right skills and training to meet people's needs, including making sure they had their medicines when they needed them. Staff supported people to stay healthy too. They helped them to access healthcare services when they needed them and ensured they had enough to eat and drink.

Systems were in place for people to raise any concerns or complaints they might have about the service. Feedback was responded to in a positive way, to improve the quality of service provided.