Archived: Avalon Scarborough Services

Updated 10 August 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 was 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 site visits started on 4 June and ended on 27 June 2018. We gave the service 72 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure somebody would be in the office. We also wanted people who used the service to be aware of our inspection so they could come and share their views with us if they wanted to. The first three days of the inspection were completed by one inspector and a second inspector assisted on the fourth day. An assistant inspector assisted by making telephone calls to staff and people who used the service.

Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service, which included information shared with the CQC and notifications sent to us since our last inspection. The provider is legally required to send notifications about events, incidents or changes that occur and which affect their service or the people who use it. We also contacted the local authority commissioning group and the local Healthwatch, a consumer group who share the views and experiences of people using health and social care services. We used this information in planning our inspection.

Before the inspection, the provider sent us the Provider Information Return. This is information providers are required to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make. This contributed to our understanding of the service and planning for the inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with nine people who used the service, this included people who used the shared lives service and those supported within their own homes. We telephoned people, visited people in their homes and others came to the office to speak with us. We received written feedback from two professionals.

We looked at documentation for eight people who used the service. The documentation we reviewed included care plans, risk assessments and daily records. We also viewed a variety of documentation relating to the running of the service and the provider's policies and procedures.

We spoke with 11 members of staff. This included support workers, service managers, the policy and projects officer and the registered manager. We also reviewed nine staff files which included information on training and support provided.

Updated 10 August 2018

Avalon Scarborough provides personal care for people who have a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. Some of the people supported also have dementia. Avalon provides two types of service; domiciliary support to people living in their own homes, including supported living, and ‘shared lives’. Shared lives is where people live in a family setting with a main carer. For people who live within supported living arrangements, CQC does not regulate the premises used; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. For the purpose of, this report the term 'staff' refers to both shared lives carers and support workers.

Not everyone supported by Avalon Scarborough Services received support with a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care'. This includes help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. When people do receive support with a regulated activity we consider the wider social care support provided. At the time of our inspection 109 people received support with a regulated activity.

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.

People told us they received safe support. Staff received safeguarding training and understood potential signs of abuse and how they would report any concerns. People received their medicines as prescribed. Audits of medicines were completed and actions were taken to address potential root causes of any issues. Accidents and incidents were reported as required and investigations completed to ensure steps had been taken to address any areas of risk. Comprehensive risk assessments were in place.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. People told us staff sought their consent before providing any care.

Staff completed mandatory training and specialist training when required. Staff competency was regularly assessed to ensure they had the skills and knowledge to provide safe and effective care. Staff received on-going support by way of supervision and appraisals. People had access to healthcare professionals and staff sought professional advice and input.

People who used the service told us staff were kind and caring towards them and offered emotional support. Staff promoted people’s dignity and privacy through their interactions with them. Staff demonstrated a thorough understanding of people’s needs and current circumstances and spoke about people in a respectful manner. People were encouraged to be independent. Information about advocacy services was available to ensure people had access to independent support when needed.

People received person-centred support. People’s care plans were descriptive and clearly explained their needs, wishes and preferences. Some people’s reviews were behind schedule, however when reviews were completed they were detailed and outcome focused. Staff supported people to engage in activities of their choosing and told us how much they enjoyed this. The staff team were aware of issues relating to equality and diversity.

We received positive feedback about the registered manager and management team from staff members and people who used the service. The registered manager was noted to be supportive and approachable. The audits completed by the registered manager and provider were effective in identifying and addressing any issues which may affect the quality or safety of the service. There were a variety of internal meetings to ensure staff received important information and updates, and had an opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues.