Swallow

Updated 13 July 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 was planned to check 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 was a scheduled, comprehensive inspection. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we wanted to make sure that the people we needed to speak with would be available. The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection, we asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what it does well and improvements they plan to make.

We reviewed information we held about the service, including the notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are changes, events or incidents the provider is legally obliged to send us within required timescales.

We looked at the care records of five people, the personnel files of four staff, training records, rotas, audits and other records relating to the management of the service. We looked at a range of policies and procedures including, safeguarding, whistleblowing, complaints, mental capacity, recruitment and medicines. We reviewed all of this information to help us to make a judgement about the service.

During the inspection we spoke with seven people who used the service. We talked with four staff, as well as the registered manager. We received written feedback from 10 health and social care professionals. You can see what they told us in the main body of the report.

Updated 13 July 2018

Swallow is a domiciliary care service which provides care and support to people who have a learning disability. People who use the services of Swallow live in a range of supported living accommodation, including private and shared houses, and self-contained flats. At the time of our inspection there were 30 people receiving personal care and support from the service

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good, and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Why the service is rated good:

People told us that they felt safe when they were supported by staff from the service. Staff were trained in protecting people from abuse, and understood their responsibilities.

People were supported to receive their prescribed medicines safely.

We found that safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place. There were enough staff in post and they had enough time to spend with people. People received a consistent and reliable service overall.

Assessments and regular reviews of support to meet people's individual needs were carried out. Care plans were detailed, up to date and easy to read. People were encouraged to make choices about activities they were involved in, and to be active members of their community. Staff supported people in the least restrictive way possible, and policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

Policies and procedures were in place to manage health and safety. This included the management of incidents and accidents.

Staff helped people to access healthcare appointments when necessary. Health and social care professionals were involved in people’s care, plans and reviews.

Staff were trained in a range of relevant subjects. They received regular supervision and appraisals, and found the team supportive. Staff we spoke with were enthusiastic about their role and the service.

People were positive about the service and the staff who supported them. They told us that staff were caring and knew them well.

Staff and professionals spoke positively about the management of the service. People who used the service took a lead in its management and direction. The management and senior staff team carried out regular checks to monitor the quality of the care and support people received.

There was a registered manager at the service who had a clear understanding of the values and focus of the service, including future developments and plans.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.