Background to this inspection
Updated
1 November 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.
The inspection took place on 3 October 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location is a supported living scheme and provides a domiciliary care service for younger adults who often go out during the day so we needed to be sure someone would be in.
Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held about this service. This included statutory notifications which contain information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We also looked at the Provider Information Return which is a form that tells us about the service and any improvements they plan to make.
As part of our inspection we saw two people receiving care and support in their own home. We observed the interactions between the people and the staff supporting them. We spoke with the registered manager and two care staff. We also received feedback from two health and social care professionals as well as written feedback from another professional.
We looked at three people's care plans and daily notes and other records relating to the management of the service including staff files, minutes of meetings, quality audits and satisfaction surveys.
Updated
1 November 2018
The inspection took place on 3 October 2018. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location is a supported living scheme and provides a domiciliary care service for younger adults who often go out during the day, so we needed to be sure someone would be in.
We last inspected the service on 22 June 2016 at which time it was rated Good. At this inspection, we rated the service as Good.
This service provides care and support to three people living in two ‘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 only.
The care service had 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 learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
There was a registered manager in post who was also the registered provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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.
The service was extremely well led by a registered manager who demonstrated exceptional values, a passion and dedication towards improving the lives of the people the service supported. They led by example which was underpinned by a human rights approach based on ensuring people had equality, choice, autonomy and freedom to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. The registered manager was highly valued by people, staff and professionals and was described as someone who went that extra mile to support the people in their care.
People who used the service were safe and at very at ease with staff. Risks to people had been individually assessed and staff knew what to do to manage those risks which supported people to do the things they wanted and live their lives as independently as possible.
Staff were trained in safeguarding and were able to describe types of abuse and what they could do to protect people from the risk of harm. Medicines were stored, administered and disposed of safely by staff who had been trained and assessed as competent in medicine management.
There were sufficient staff who had been safely recruited to meet people's needs. Spot checks were carried out to ensure the quality and competency of staff was of a high standard. Infection control measures were in place for staff to protect people from the risk of infection through training, cleanliness and the use of protective clothing where required.
People’s needs had been assessed including their strengths and abilities which promoted their , rights and autonomy. Staff had the knowledge and skills to support people appropriately and to be competent in their role. 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.
The service assisted people to have food and drinks of their choices and assisted them to have a balanced diet. Staff provided support as needed to help people access healthcare services and maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
People were always respected by staff and treated with kindness. We saw staff being respectful, considerate and communicating well with people. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and maintain relationships that were important to them. Staff helped people to have an active and fulfilling social life. People had opportunities to access the community and engage in a range of activities of their choice at home and in the community.
There were systems in place to respond to complaints. People and their relatives were provided with information on how to make a complaint or raise concerns. A quality assurance system was in place and audits of the service completed. People who used the service and their representatives were regularly asked for their views about the service and these were used to improve the service.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.