Background to this inspection
Updated
9 August 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
The service provides care and support to people living in one supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. This service is also a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was to ensure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
During the inspection
We spoke with nine people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, two care coordinators and three support workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care records and medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and a further three staff supervision records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data, rotas, meeting minutes and quality assurance records. We spoke with three relatives by telephone at the request of the people using the service. We received email feedback from another relative.
Updated
9 August 2019
About the service
The Supported Living and Domiciliary Care Service is run by the Epilepsy Society and provides personal care to people living in a supported living accommodation and to people living in their own homes. At the time of the inspection 12 people were supported in a supported living environment and 17 people were provided with support in their own homes.
The supported living accommodation had a staff office and people had their own flat which were shared with either two or four people. The service supported people with a range of needs which included learning disabilities, autism, epilepsy and physical disabilities.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were happy with the service provided. They had positive relationships with staff and described staff as “Fantastic, helpful, always encouraging”.
People told us they felt safe and systems were in place to safeguard people. Risks to them were identified and managed. The support required with medicines was assessed, agreed and provided to people. Infection control measures were in place to prevent cross infection. Staff were suitably recruited. People were supported by a consistent staff team and the staffing levels were flexible to enable the service to provide a bespoke service to people.
People were supported by staff who were inducted, trained and supervised. The support required by people with health and nutritional needs was identified and provided. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People confirmed staff were kind and caring. Their privacy and independence were promoted.
Systems were in place to deal with concerns and complaints. This enabled people to raise concerns about their care if they needed to.
People had person centred care plans in place. They were actively involved in their care and contributed to the development of care plans and reviews. Some people had staff support to access activities and holidays. This was flexible and provided in response to people’s choices. People’s communication needs were identified, and their end of life wishes were explored and recorded.
People were supported by a service that was well managed. Records were organised, accessible and up to date. The service was audited, and action taken to address any areas they had identified that needed improving. People and staff were complimentary of the management team and described them as “Accessible, approachable, caring and positive role models”. Staff felt empowered and committed to providing good outcomes for people.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 3 November 2016)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
The overall rating for the service remains unchanged and the service is rated good. This is based on the findings at this inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.