Background to this inspection
Updated
22 September 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 comprehensive inspection which took place on 8 and 9 August 2018 and was carried out by one inspector. This inspection was announced on both days. We gave the service 24 hours' notice of the inspection visit because we needed to be sure staff would be available during the inspection, so we could access relevant records at the service's office. The registered manager was unavailable during the inspection. Another manager was present and we shall refer to them as the ‘manager’ throughout this report.
Before the inspection we looked at information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually, to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We looked at the notifications received from the service and reviewed all the intelligence CQC held, to help inform us about the level of risk for this service. We also contacted the local authority safeguarding team and commissioners.
We looked at three people's care records and three medication administration records (MARs). We also looked at a selection of documentation in relation to the management and running of the service. This included stakeholder surveys, quality assurance audits, complaints, recruitment information for four members of staff, staff training records and policies and procedures.
We spoke with two people who used the service and two relatives. We spoke with seven members of staff including the manager and administrator.
Updated
22 September 2018
The inspection took place on 8 and 9 August 2018 and was announced.
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to people with a learning disability, physical disability and older adults. This service also provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, including three flats and three houses, 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.
Not everyone using Adka Independence receives a regulated activity; 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 14 people were receiving 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.
Staff continued to protect people from avoidable harm, were knowledgeable about safeguarding and able to raise concerns. Staff supported people to manage their medicines safely.
People were supported by regular staff which provided continuity of care. Steps had been taken to ensure suitable staff were employed, who were supported in their role and were skilled in providing effective care.
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 supported this practice.
Staff communicated with people effectively dependent on their individual needs. Staff knew people well and were able to provide support in a person-centred way. People were supported to maintain their independence and their privacy and dignity were respected.
People’s care plans were kept up to date and reflected their individual needs and circumstances. People were supported to follow their interests and live their lives as they chose to. Staff assisted people to access college, community services and pursue social and leisure activities.
People were able to make a complaint if needed and their feedback was gathered to help drive improvement. Systems were in place to identify shortfalls and ensure quality care was provided. There was a positive culture within the service and people felt managers were approachable.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.