Archived: Barnet Mencap - 35 Hendon Lane

On the day of the inspection, nobody was receiving personal care. Therefore, we reviewed documentation based on people who received a service within one week of the inspection date.

People’s experience of using this service:

Relatives were positive around the service received, particularly commenting on staff knowledge and trust built between the person receiving care and the staff member.

People received a consistent level of care from a team of regular care workers. There were enough staff employed to meet people's needs.

Risks to people were managed in a way that kept them as safe as possible whilst promoting independence and learning. Risk management guidelines were in place to help care workers when supporting people.

Care plans were individualised and met the needs of people using the service. People were supported to lead socially active lives.

There was a clear management structure and staff told us they felt supported and valued.

Staff received regular training and had one to ones with the service manager.

Rating at last inspection: Good. (Report published August 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive.

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

We last inspected the service on 9 January 2014. At this inspection, we found the provider to be compliant.

Barnet Mencap - 35 Hendon Lane is a short break respite service run by Barnet Mencap. The service provides support for children and young adults when parents require a short break. The service includes personal care, therapeutic and social activities both in people’s own homes and in their local community. The service provided a range of support to people through a number of hours per week contracts. Barnet Mencap runs another service Sherrick House that provides respite care home service to people with a learning and or physical disability. Staff worked across both services. At the time of this inspection, Barnet Mencap - 35 Hendon Lane domiciliary service provided support to five people with a learning disability but only one person was receiving support with personal care. Three members of staff were delivering support but only one staff was delivering regulated activity.

The service had a registered manager. 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.

People using the service and their relatives told us they found staff friendly and kind. They told us that their health and care needs were met. People’s relatives told us that staff listened to them and that their family member’s health and care needs were met. They told us their family members were treated with respect and staff engaged with them in a friendly and considerate manner. Staff understood people’s needs and preferences.

Care plans were detailed and recorded individual needs, likes and dislikes. Risk assessments were individualised and detailed information on safe management of the risks. Care plans and risk assessments were regularly updated and reviewed. There were clear records of care delivery.

Staff were able to demonstrate their role in raising concerns and protecting people from harm and abuse. Staff had a good understanding of the safeguarding procedure and the role of external agencies.

Staff files had records of application forms, interview notes and reference checks. The service renewed the criminal record checks of staff every three years. Staff told us they were supported well and we saw records of staff supervision and appraisal. Staff told us they attended induction training and additional training, and records confirmed this.

The service had systems and processes in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of service provided. There was evidence of regular monitoring checks of the service.

Another parent said, 'The staff are very courteous and helpful. It's a fantastic service. My kids enjoy their company.'

The service has worked closely with Barnet Local Authority, who arranged the respite care so that parents could take short breaks. This had ensured that their children received safe and co-ordinated care, treatment and support.

Parents we spoke with confirmed that they had read and signed the care package. This meant that consent had been obtained from parents, who were the guardians and main carers, before care, support and treatment had been provided.

The director said that any written complaint would be responded to within 28 days, in accordance with the provider's complaints policy. We found that the parents were aware of the complaints procedure.

Staff had maintained daily written records and had adhered to the provider's policy and procedures on recordkeeping.

Four staff we spoke with were aware of the importance of treating people with respect and dignity regardless of their backgrounds. The needs of people had been carefully assessed and support plans prepared. The preferences and choices of people had been noted in the care arrangements and support plans. People said they had been consulted regarding the care provided. Regular reviews of care had been carried out to ensure that the care provided was appropriate.

The agency had suitable arrangements for ensuring that people were safeguarded and protected from abuse. Staff had been provided with training in safeguarding people and other appropriate training to enable them to perform their duties. Staff stated that they had received support and supervision from their managers.

Effective arrangements for monitoring the quality of care provided were in place and these included a recent satisfaction survey and details of feedback from people who use the service.