We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 30 September 2016. After that inspection we received concerns in relation to risks associated with aspiration and dysphasia. Dysphasia is the medical term for swallowing difficulties or an impairment in swallowing. As a result we undertook a focused inspection on 07 and 08 December 2017 to look into those concerns. This report only covers our findings in relation to this topic. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'all reports' link for Manorcourt homecare on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community and specialist housing. It currently provides a service to 149 older adults.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the time of inspection we found that people’s written information did not always adequately record and reflect risks to people or provide sufficient detail for staff on how to manage those risks with regard to Dysphasia. However, guidance was available within the providers Management of Dysphagia Policy. We made a recommendation that appropriate training should be provided if anyone using the service is assessed with dysphasia.

Whilst risks to people were alleviated by staff knowledge and experience, the potential for risk existed. Therefore we made a recommendation that the service review the system and process for recording, managing and sharing information on risk to ensure the safe and effective management of Dysphagia as described by the providers own policy.

This inspection took place on 30 September 2016.

Manorcourt Homecare provides a domiciliary support service to enable predominantly older people to continue living at home. When we inspected the service provided support with personal care to 135 people living at home in and around the Harlow area.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social care Act 2008 and associated regulations about how the service is run.

People were supported in their own home by staff that were able to meet their needs safely. Staff were able to demonstrate that they understood what was required of them to provide people with the safe support they needed to remain living independently in their local community.

People were protected from the risks associated with the recruitment of staff unsuited to the role by the provider’s recruitment procedures. Comprehensive risk assessments were also in place to reduce and manage the risks to people’s health and welfare. There were sufficient numbers of staff employed to meet people’s assessed needs.

People benefited from a service that was appropriately managed so that people received their service in a timely and reliable way. The service was well-led, with quality assurance systems in place so that people were assured of receiving a service that was appropriately and conscientiously monitored by senior staff. People also benefitted from receiving personal care and support from trained staff that were caring, friendly, and responsive to people’s changing needs. People’s right to make day-to-day choices about how they preferred their care and support to be provided was respected and this was reflected in their agreed care plans.

People had the guidance they needed to raise concerns or make a complaint. There were procedures in place to ensure complaints were appropriately investigated and action was taken to make improvements to the service when necessary.