All inspections: Creative Support - Leicester Service

We spoke with six people who used the service, however due to the complexity of their needs only two were able to verbalise their views. We also spoke with eight members of staff, viewed eight care records and visited three project locations.

We spoke to a number of staff and asked them to explain their approach to ensuring people understood and agreed to their care and support. Their responses indicated they understood the need to explain and gain consent before carrying out care.

We observed the people who used the service appeared in good health, were well presented and were cared for in a clean and pleasant environment. We saw people were smiling and interacting well with their support staff.

Staff told us the process for maintaining a pleasant and effective environment was very efficient. One member of staff told us: 'Repairs are carried out very quickly and the environment is refurbished regularly. Managers are very good at doing spot checks to ensure the environment is maintained'.

The records showed that complaints had been dealt with appropriately. We noted that complaints were fully investigated, actions taken and the outcome communicated to the complainant.

We visited one location. We spoke with two people who used the service, four members of staff. We also reviewed six care records and four staff files.

The people we spoke with told us they were happy and contented. We saw respectful interactions between support workers and the people who used the service. One person told us:' I have a choice. Sometimes I get up in a bad mood and I don't have to do activities. Another person gave us a tour of the location and told us they were going to grow their own vegetables in the spring.

The care records we looked at were detailed and contained risk assessments related to people's individual needs. We also saw evidence that the risk assessments relating to key elements of delivering safe care were reviewed on a regular basis.

The two people we spoke with told us they felt safe and secure. All the staff we spoke with had a good understanding of the types of abuse and were able to explain what they would do if they suspected someone was being abused and who they would report it to.

One member of staff told us: 'I feel very supported and I can go to my supervisor at any time. They are very open.'

We visited Creative Support's Leicester office and a project where Creative Support provides care to a group of people living in rented accommodation. The people who use the service that we met had communication difficulties so this limited the amount of discussion we could have with them.

A relative told us they were 'very satisfied' with the service Creative Support provided. They said, 'The staff are pleasant and helpful. They socialise with my relative which is what they need. They come every day and have never let us down. They are usually on time but if they are ever going to be late they always phone and let my relative know.'

The staff we met were experienced and had developed good relationships with the people they cared for. We saw lunch being served, activities being organised and staff working in a positive and empowering way, offering service users choice where possible.

One staff member told us how he worked who a service user who lived independently. He explained how he was helping them look after their own home, take part in activities, and find voluntary work. He told us, 'The best bit about the job is getting people to do things for themselves, and to get out and do things in the community.'

Archived: Creative Support - Leicester Service

All Inspections

25, 26 September 2013

During a routine inspection

3 January 2013

During a routine inspection

29 July 2011

During an inspection in response to concerns