About the service:

Homecare is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of our inspection there were 19 older people using the service.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk.

People’s experience of using this service:

¿ People felt safe and the service assessed risks to the health and wellbeing of people who use

the service and staff. Where risks were identified action was taken to reduce the risk where

possible.

¿ Recruitment processes were in place to make sure, as far as possible, that people were

protected from staff being employed who were not suitable.

¿ Medicines were handled safely by staff who had been assessed as competent to do so.

¿ People received effective care from staff who were well trained and supervised.

¿ People felt the service they received helped them to maintain their independence where

possible.

¿ People and their relatives said staff were caring and respected their privacy and dignity.

¿ People received care that was designed to meet their individual needs and preferences.

¿ 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.

¿ People knew how to complain and knew the process to follow if they had concerns.

¿ People's right to confidentiality was protected and their diversity needs were identified and

incorporated into their care plans where applicable.

¿ One relative told us, "We find the frontline team to be friendly, well trained and knowledgeable

and they have made a real difference to the quality of life my [relative] enjoys in their twilight

years… They have never let my [relative] down whatever the weather or their staffing levels…

I would like to offer my thanks to the Optalis organisation and request that you pass on my praise

of the current service we receive."

Rating at last inspection:

This was the first inspection of the service since it was added to the provider's registration on 15 March 2018. The service was not previously rated.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned comprehensive inspection in line with our aim to carry out the first inspection of a service within six to twelve months of the date of registration.

Follow up:

We will continue to monitor all information we receive about this service. This informs our ongoing assessment of their risk profile and ensures we are able to schedule the next inspection accordingly.