Background to this inspection
Updated
13 August 2019
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in their own homes and in supported living settings, so 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.
Notice of inspection
This was an unannounced inspection. We were aware the registered manager or provider would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We asked for feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with this service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
On the first day of inspection we spoke with the registered manager and three service managers. We reviewed a range of records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment, training and supervision. Records relating to the management of the service, including quality audits, policies and procedures, compliments and complaints, health and safety information and survey results were also reviewed.
On the second day of inspection we visited people in their own homes. We went to three properties and spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided, two members of staff and one relative. We reviewed four people’s care records and medication records and checked records in relation to health and safety, including fire safety.
After the inspection
After the inspection we spoke over the telephone with a further six people who used the service, two relatives and four members of care staff, including a senior support worker, to gain their views of the service.
Updated
13 August 2019
About the service
Mediline Supported Living Greater Manchester is a service which supports adults who have a learning disability, through supported living and domiciliary care provision. The regional office for this service is located in the Levenshulme area of Greater Manchester. At the time of the inspection the service supported approximately 131 people in either their own homes or a supported living setting.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe due to the systems in place to safeguard people from potential abuse or exploitation. Measures were in place to minimise risks, both general and specific to individuals.
Staff were recruited safely and there were sufficient staff to meet the needs of people who used the service. Agency staff were not used. Staff received medicines training and their competency to administer medicines was checked. Measures were in place to help prevent the spread of infection.
Staff new to care completed the Care Certificate when they commenced employment. The Care Certificate is a set of standards that staff are expected to adhere to. Staff received regular supervision and appraisals from their line manager throughout their employment.
People were encouraged to maintain good health and well-being, and the service supported people to access their GP and attend regular health checks.
Some people had been supported to live in their homes for many years. The service explored ways in which properties could be adapted so that people with changing needs could continue to live there.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests. People told us they were happy with their support and were treated with respect. Relatives were also complimentary of the service and its staff.
People were treated as individuals and support was delivered according to their specific needs and wishes. People participated in a range of activities. These included trips out in the local community, attending social groups and other events.
People could raise a concern or make a complaint in various ways and the service produced easy read formats of leaflets to help with this.
There was a clear management structure and line management responsibilities. The registered manager understood their role and responsibilities in relation to the duty of candour. This is a set of expectations about being open and transparent when things go wrong.
Surveys were sent out annually to assess people’s level of satisfaction with the service. Relatives and friends’ surveys also demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with the service.
The service operated an open-door policy. Ways to improve the quality of care further were considered and explored. Quality service audits were carried out on each individual property. These were completed by other registered managers or independent service managers to help ensure impartiality.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 27 January 2017). Since this rating was awarded the provider has altered its legal entity. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.