March Supported Living Scheme

Updated 10 November 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 unannounced inspection took place on 04 October 2018 and was undertaken by one inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least annually. This provides us with information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to assist us with the planning of this inspection. We also looked at other information we held about the service. This included information from responses to our survey questionnaire as well as notifications the provider sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send to us by law such as incidents or allegations of harm.

Prior to our inspection we contacted the local safeguarding authority and commissioners of the service to ask them about their views of the service. These organisations’ views helped us to plan our inspection.

On the 4 October 2018, we visited the service and spoke with seven people. We also spoke with the interim manager, two senior support workers and four care staff.

We looked at care documentation for five people using the service and their medicines' administration records. We also looked at two staff files, staff training and supervision planning records and other records relating to the management of the service. These included records associated with audits and quality assurance, accidents and incidents, compliments and complaints.

Updated 10 November 2018

This unannounced inspection took place on 4 October 2018. At our last inspection in February 2016 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.

March Supported Living Service provides care and support to people living in five supported living settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

March Supported Living Service provides a service to, people with a learning disability, people with a physical disability, older people, people living with dementia, younger adults and people with sensory impairments.

Not everyone using March Supported Living Service receives the regulated activity of personal care. 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 our inspection there were 18 people using the service who received the regulated activity of personal care.

A registered manager was in post. The registered manager was on leave at the time of the inspection and an interim manager who knew the service well was available throughout the inspection. 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.

The service was safe. People were safeguarded by staff who knew how to recognise and report any concerns. The provider identified risks to people and managed them well. Sufficient staff were in post and the recruitment process for new staff had helped ensure that only suitable staff were employed. Lessons were learned when things had not gone well and prompt action was taken to keep people safe. Staff administered medicines and managed them safely. Staff helped people to maintain a clean environment.

The service was effective. Staff met people’s needs and had the right training and skills to do this effectively. People had a varied and healthy diet and enough to eat and drink. People were enabled to access health care services. People were given choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The registered manager worked with other organisations such as the local authority who were involved in people’s care to help ensure that when people used the service they received consistent care.

The service was caring. People were cared for by staff and supported in a compassionate way. People’s privacy and dignity were promoted and respected. People were supported and encouraged to use an advocacy service when needed. People using the service were involved in deciding how their care was provided. People were treated with fairness whatever their needs were.

The service was responsive. People’s care was person-centred and at the heart of the service. Technology enhanced the quality of people’s lives, this made them more fulfilling. People raised concerns and they were acted on. People, relatives and family members had the support they needed when any person needed end of life care.

The service was well-led. The registered manager provided support to staff in a positive way. People had a say in how the service was run. Staff had the right skills and values to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Staff worked as a team to help people and each other. Quality assurance, audits and spot checks undertaken by the provider helped identify and drive improvements. An open and honest staff team culture was in place. The registered manager and staff worked in partnership with others including health care professionals.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.