One Community

Updated 26 October 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 inspection took place on 25, 26 and 27 September 2018 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice that we would be visiting the service. This was because the service provides care to people living in their own homes and we wanted to make sure staff would be available to speak with us.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before this inspection, we asked the registered provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to help with the planning for this inspection and to support our judgements.

Inspection activity started on 25 September 2018 and ended on 27 September 2018.

On the 25 September 2018 we telephoned and spoke with three people using the service and two relatives to obtain feedback on the care and support people received. We visited the office location on 26 September 2018 and spoke with the registered manager and care manager. We reviewed care records and documents central to people's health and well-being. These included care records relating to four people, recruitment records for four staff members, staff training records and quality audits. On the 27 September 2018 we telephoned and spoke with three members of staff.

We last inspected the service in July 2016 and rated the service as Good. At this inspection the service remained Good.

Updated 26 October 2018

The inspection took place on 25, 26 and 27 September 2018 and was announced.

One Community offers a range of services to the local authority but the part of the service which is regulated and inspected is known as the ‘Care and Respite Service’, or the ‘Take a Break Service’. The service supports people, who may be older, disabled, have physical or mental health needs and who live with other people who care for them, known as ‘carers’. A ‘sitting’ service enables carers to have a break for a few hours, on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Some of the people receiving support were also in receipt of a care package that was provided by other care providers who would undertake personal care on a more regular basis.

The main role of staff at One Community is to be with people who would be vulnerable if left alone, to ensure they are safe. Whilst spending time with people, they engage in conversation or activities, if the person wishes. Additionally, people sometimes require support with personal care, such as going to the bathroom. The service does not offer personal care as a stand-alone service although it is registered to provide this if needed. At the time of our inspection the service provided care and support to 18 people, but not everyone required support with personal care.

There was a registered manager in place. 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 were safe because staff understood their role and responsibilities to keep them safe from harm. Staff had received training to deliver care safely and to an appropriate standard.

Staff had a good knowledge of the provider’s whistleblowing policy and procedures which meant they were able to raise concerns to protect people from unsafe care.

People were supported by staff that promoted their independence, respected their dignity and maintained their privacy.

Care plans reflected people's individual needs and preferences and were regularly reviewed to ensure that they continued to meet people's needs.

Risks to people had been assessed and reviewed regularly to ensure people’s individual needs were being met safely.

Recruitment processes were robust to make sure people were cared for by suitable staff. There were sufficient numbers of staff deployed to meet people’s needs and to keep them safe from harm.

Staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and their responsibilities to ensure that people who were unable to make their own decisions about their care and support were protected.

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There was an effective complaints system in place. People told us they were confident to raise any issues about their care and that they would be listened to and addressed.

People told us the service was well-led and managed by an effective and organised management team.

Systems were in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided.