United Response - Leeds-Harrogate DCA

Updated 10 April 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 inspection took place on 7 and 9 February 2018 and was announced on both days. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the service supports a small number of people and we needed to ensure people and staff were available to carry out the inspection.

The inspection was carried out over two days; on day one an inspector went to the provider’s offices and on day two an inspector and expert by experience visited two people in their own homes. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included information we received from outside agencies and statutory notifications since the last inspection. Notifications are when providers send us information about certain changes, events or incidents that occur within the service. We sought feedback from the commissioners of the service prior to our visit. The provider completed a provider information return (PIR) prior to this inspection. 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 used all of this information to plan our inspection.

We spoke with two people when we visited their homes and one person and three relatives by telephone.

During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, a service manager and four care workers. Following the inspection we spoke with two visiting professionals.

We reviewed a range of records. These included three people's care files including medication records. We looked at three staff files relating to recruitment and three relating to supervision, appraisal and training. We viewed records relating to the management of the service and a wide variety of policies and procedures.

Updated 10 April 2018

The inspection took place on 7 and 9 February 2018 and was announced on both days. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice because the service supports a small number of people and we needed to ensure people and staff were available to carry out the inspection.

United Response- Leeds-Harrogate DCA 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. The Care Quality Commission does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. Eight people were using the service when we inspected.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the ‘Registering the Right Support’ and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with a learning disability and/or autism using the service can live as ordinary life as any citizen.

At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

There was a manager in post who had registered with CQC.

Systems in place minimised the risk of harm to people. These included effective risk assessment of people’s needs, management of medicines, safe recruitment and effective management of accidents and incidents. The environment was well maintained and the provider had ensured all appropriate safety checks had been made.

There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staff received appropriate levels of training and support to enable them to carry out their role to a high standard. People were actively involved in the whole recruitment process from shortlisting to interviews. People told us they valued this role to choose their own support.

People benefited from staff having exceptional skills around understanding each person’s needs and aspirations. This included support to access employment, education and community activities.

Information was available in an easy read format including policies and procedures such as complaints. The provider used easy read formats to respond to complaints where people needed this.

People had high feelings of wellbeing and a sense of being valued and included. People were supported to design their own care and make their own choices. They were treated with dignity and respect at all times.

The staff team were supported by an experienced registered manager who worked alongside the team and people who lived at the service to ensure people received a quality and safe service. Quality assurance systems were effective.

The person centred care people received meant they were supported to achieve their chosen goals, maintain good health and improve their skills. Staff focused on people’s wishes and aims to enable them to live as full a life as possible.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.