Orwell Mencap Genesis

Updated 24 February 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This announced comprehensive inspection was carried out on 10 and 12 January 2018 by one CQC inspector. The provider was given up to 48 hours’ notice because we wanted to be certain the registered manager and key staff would be available on the days of our inspection. We also wanted to give them sufficient time to make arrangements with people and where appropriate their relatives to meet with us and or talk with us on the telephone about their experience of the service provided.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We contacted the local authority contracts and provider support teams for feedback about the service. We received no information of concern.

We reviewed information we had received about the service such as notifications. This is information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We also reviewed all other information sent to us from other stakeholders for example the local authority, Healthwatch Suffolk and members of the public.

We spoke with one person who used the service and four relatives. Two people we met had complex needs, which meant they could not always readily tell us about their experiences. We observed the way they interacted with their support workers at the provider’s day care centre which was located next to the service.

We spoke with the registered manager; provider’s nominated individual, assistant manager and four support workers.

To help us assess how people’s care needs were being met, we reviewed two people’s care records. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service, seven recruitment files, training, and systems for monitoring the quality of the service.

Updated 24 February 2018

Orwell Mencap Genesis is a domiciliary care agency for adults with learning disabilities. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. Not everyone using the service receives the 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 announced inspection of 10 and 12 January 2018 there were five people who used the service.

The provider was given up to 48 hours’ notice because we wanted to be certain the registered manager and key staff would be available on the day of our inspection. We also wanted to give them sufficient time to make agreements with people and their relatives so we could meet and talk to them to find out their experiences of the service. This service was registered with CQC on 11 January 2011.

At our last inspection 8 December 2015 we rated the service as overall good, however safe was rated as requires improvement. There were inconsistencies in the recruitment processes and risks to people were not always assessed and reviewed appropriately. At our inspection 10 and 12 January 2018 we found that improvements had been made and contributed towards people consistently receiving safe, effective, compassionate and high quality care.

A registered manager was 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.

Orwell Mencap Genesis provided a safe service to people. This included systems intended to minimise the risks to people, including from abuse, mobility, nutrition and with accessing the community. Support workers understood their roles and responsibilities in keeping people safe.

Recruitment checks were carried out with sufficient numbers of support workers employed who had the knowledge and skills through regular supervision and training to meet people’s needs.

People were supported to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced diet. They were also supported to maintain good health and access healthcare services. At the time of this inspection no one was being supported with their medicines however systems were in place to provide this support safely when required.

People and relatives had developed good relationships with the support workers and the registered manager. People received care that was personalised and responsive to their needs. People’s care records were accurate and reflected the support provided.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and support workers supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were able to express their views and support workers listened to what they said and took action to ensure their decisions were acted on. Support workers consistently protected people’s privacy and dignity.

Support workers received training in infection control and food hygiene and understood their responsibilities relating to these areas. Systems were in place to reduce the risks of cross infection.

The service listened to people’s experiences, concerns and complaints and took action where needed. People, relatives and staff told us the registered manager was accessible, supportive and had good leadership skills. The service had a quality assurance system and shortfalls were identified and addressed. As a result the quality of the service continued to progress.