Bath Supported Living Service

Updated 16 June 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.

The inspection was carried out by two inspectors and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed the PIR and other information we had about the service including statutory notifications. Notifications are information about specific events that the service is legally required to send us.

During our inspection we went to the Bath Supported Living Service office. We spoke with the registered manager and four staff members. Staff supported us to speak with two people and we undertook phone calls to two people who received care and support from the service. We received feedback from three health and social care professionals.

We looked at four people’s care and support records and four staff files. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service such as incident and accident records, meeting minutes, recruitment and training records, policies, audits and complaints.

Updated 16 June 2018

We undertook an inspection of Bath Supported Living Service on 1 May 2018. The inspection was announced, which meant that the provider knew we would be visiting. This is because we wanted to ensure that the provider, or someone who could act on their behalf, would be available to support the inspection. The service registered to provide a regulated activity with the Care Quality Commission in April 2017. This was the service’s first inspection since registering and had not been previously rated.

Bath Supported Living provides personal care and support to people with learning disabilities in their own homes in the Bath area. At the time of our inspection there were 10 people receiving personal care and support from the service.

A registered manager was in post at the time of our 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.

Systems were in place to keep people safe. People’s medicines were managed and administered safely. Staff were recruited following the provider’s recruitment policy. People received care and support on time and as agreed. People and other professionals spoke positively about staff working at the service.

The service had a clear ethos, aims and objectives. Staff were passionate about supporting people in making their own choices and decisions. People were involved and consulted about their care and support. The service worked in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

People’s independence was promoted and facilitated. Risk assessments were in place to keep people safe. People were supported to take positive risks.

Care plans were person centred. Care and support was delivered to people as they preferred and as outlined in their care plan. People were supported to enjoy social and leisure activities of their choice. New opportunities were sought for people.

Staff were supported in their role by an induction to the service, supervision and regular training.

People had access and support to health professionals. Staff supported where appropriate people with their nutritional and hydration needs. Clear guidance was in place to keep people safe.

People spoke positively about the kind and caring staff at the service. We observed that staff knew people well and had developed positive relationships with people. A keyworker system was in place which aided these relationships. People felt comfortable with staff and could raise any concerns they had.

Accessible documentation was in place to enable people to be involved in decisions about their care. People were supported to access and use technology that could enhance their independence and communication.

Systems were in place to monitor and review the quality of the service. Feedback was obtained from people, relatives and staff. Information was analysed and actions taken to make improvements. Positive feedback was received about the registered manager and how the service was run.