We carried out a review of the data available to us about Small Opportunities Office on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Small Opportunities Office, you can give feedback on this service.
Small Opportunities provides supported living to people living in the Brighton and Hove area. There were two houses and one two bedroom flat. The service supported ten people at the time of our inspection. The service provided 24-hour support for younger adults with a learning disability. The Care Quality Commission inspects the care and support the service provides but does not inspect the accommodation they live in.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were kept safe from harm, and from the risk of abuse, by trained staff who cared about them. People’s risks were assessed and continuously updated so that staff could look after them safely. Staff supported people to take their medicines safely and the service learned from things that went wrong.
Staff had specific training in people’s particular needs. Staff had infection control training and food hygiene training. People and staff cooked together and made healthy food with a varied menu. 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; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were caring and friendly. We saw staff and people joking and laughing together. Staff knew people extremely well and tailored their support accordingly. We observed strong relationships between staff and people due to the continuity of staffing and their approach. People were treated with dignity and respect by staff who encouraged them to be as independent as possible.
People’s care was truly personalised. People were encouraged to fulfil their potential and staff took pride in seeing people get jobs and flourish in the community with a strong focus on enabling people to live full lives and make friends. The service acted on complaints and when necessary changed procedures to ensure incidents were not repeated. One person told us, “I like living with my friends and that there is only four of us. I like the food. I like the staff. I get to go out, I work at the local community garden project and make bee and bird houses. I love my life.”
The registered manager was a positive, proactive person who supported staff well. Staff were proud to work for the service and enjoyed spending time with people. One staff member told us, “Everyone has a nice relationship and we are all respectful. The service is well-led and support is always available.”
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
The last rating for this service was Good (published 16 August 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.
The service has a registered manager. 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 of the Health and Social Care Act and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People and their relatives informed us that they were satisfied with the care and services provided. They told us they had been treated with respect and were safe when cared for by staff. There was a safeguarding policy and suitable arrangements for safeguarding people from abuse.
Staff were knowledgeable regarding the individual needs of people, and were caring and attentive. People’s care needs and potential risks to them were carefully assessed. Staff had been provided with guidance on how to minimise potential risks to people. They prepared appropriate and up to date care plans which involved people and their representatives. People’s healthcare needs were closely monitored and staff worked well with healthcare professionals. There were suitable arrangements for ensuring that people received their medicines as prescribed.
There were arrangements for encouraging people and their representatives to express their views and make suggestions regarding the care and management of the service. Regular reviews of care had been carried out with people, their relatives and professionals involved to ensure that people received appropriate care. Where possible, people were encouraged to be as independent as possible and to engage in social and therapeutic activities. People were supported to eat a healthy diet and staff ensured that people’s nutritional needs were met.
Staff had been carefully recruited and provided with an induction and training programme to enable them to care effectively for people. They had the necessary support and appraisals from the registered manager. There were enough staff to meet people's needs. Teamwork and communication within the service was good. Staff were aware of the values and aims of the service and this included treating people with respect and dignity, and providing high quality support.
Audits and checks of the service had been carried out by the registered manager and senior staff. These included checks on care documentation, medicines and health and safety checks of premises. People, staff and relatives found the management team approachable and professional, and said they felt listened to and any concerns or issues they raised were addressed. Accidents and incidents were recorded appropriately and steps taken to minimise the risk of similar events happening in the future.