Liberty Support - North

Updated 22 June 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: The inspection was carried out by one adult social care inspector.

Service and service type: Liberty Support North provides care and support to people living in eleven 'supported living' settings in Oldham and Tameside, 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 (CQC). This means they 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: This was an announced inspection. We gave the service 48 hours notice of the inspection visit to ensure the registered manager would be available to assist us and to ask people if they would be happy for us to visit their homes.

Inspection site visit activity started on 10 April and ended on 11 April March 2019. We visited the office location on both days to speak with the registered manager and to review the service records. During our inspection we visited people in four supported living properties in Oldham.

What we did: Before the inspection we reviewed the inspection report from our last inspection and information we held about the service. This included notifications the service had submitted to the CQC. Notifications provide information on changes, events or incidents that the provider is legally obliged to send to us without delay. We contacted the local authority and asked if they had any concerns about the service, which they did not.

During our inspection site visit we spoke with the registered manager and three support workers.

We reviewed a range of documents. These included seven people's care and support plans, medicine administration records (MARs), three staff recruitment files and training and supervision records. We also reviewed documents relating to the management of the service, such as quality assurance records.

Following our inspection site visit, we spoke with five relatives on the telephone to ask their opinion of the service.

Updated 22 June 2019

About the service: Liberty Support North provides services to people who have learning disabilities and complex care needs, in eleven supported living properties in Oldham and Tameside.

People’s experience of using this service: The service had 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 coordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive to them.

Relatives were happy with the support provided to their family members.

People were able to live their lives with full support from staff who respected their diverse needs.

Staff knew people well, helped them make choices and decisions and encouraged them to be as independent as they could.

The management of medicines was carried out safely. However, some improvements were required in the level of detail in documentation for 'when needed (PRN)' medicines.

People were protected from the risk of cross infection. During our inspection we found two shower chair covers that were heavily stained. These have since been replaced.

There were systems in place to recruit staff safely. There were sufficient staff to provide support to people.

Staff had considered risks to people's health, safety and wellbeing and had taken reasonable steps to prevent them coming to harm.

Staff had received sufficient training and ongoing support to help them carry out their roles.

The service worked closely with other health and social care professionals and supported people to access appropriate health care services when needed.

Staff supported people to take part in activities of their choice.

The service had a process for handling complaints and concerns.

We found improvements were required in care documentation. We have made a recommendation that the service improve its system for reviewing care and support documentation to ensure that all records are completed fully and are up-to-date.

There were systems to maintain and improve the quality of service through audits, surveys and meetings. However, the audits had not identified the discrepancies we found in care records.

Rating at last inspection: At the last inspection the service was rated as ‘Good’ (report published 10 November 2016).

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection, in line with our inspection schedule.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit in accordance with our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk