Background to this inspection
Updated
28 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provided care and support to 15 people living various ‘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
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did
What we did before the inspection
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 reviewed previous inspection reports and notifications the provider had sent us about significant events which occurred at the service.
We wrote to four professionals with recent experience of working with the service. We received feedback from one professional in response.
During the inspection
We visited four people at their homes to ask them for feedback about the care they received. We spoke with the registered manager and four care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included five people’s care plans, two staff files in relation to recruitment and supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies, procedures, audits, incident reports, quality assurance questionnaires and risk assessments were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke to six relatives via telephone to gain their views about their family members experience of receiving care and living at the service.
Updated
28 August 2019
About the service:
This service provided care and support to 15 people living in eight ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People ranged from younger adults to older people living with a learning disability and associated conditions, such as autistic spectrum disorders.
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
People and their relatives told us the staff, management and leadership of the provider were caring, approachable and professional, which promoted a high-quality standard of care. There was a positive culture within the service, which focussed on supporting people to explore their potential and celebrate their achievements.
The registered manager played an active role in the day to day care and support people received. They had systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and worked with other stakeholders to optimise the effectiveness of care.
People were supported to live full and active lives and given choices and control about how their care was delivered. People and relatives told us they were fully involved in decisions about their care and that any complaints or feedback would be listened to by the provider.
People received personalised care which promoted their health and wellbeing. People were supported appropriately with their health, behaviour, safety and wellbeing and were encouraged to be as independent as possible.
People felt safe receiving care from staff and were treated with dignity and respect. Staff understood people’s needs and received training and ongoing support in their role.
There were enough numbers of staff in place, who had been subject to appropriate recruitment checks.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The service was rated good at our last inspection (published 23 February 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.