This inspection took place on 24 October 2016 and was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice that we would be visiting the service. This was because we wanted to make sure staff would be available to answer any questions we had or provide information that we needed. We also wanted the provider to ask people who used the service if we could contact them. The service was registered with the Commission on 9 November 2015 and this was the first inspection. The service is registered to provide personal care and support to people in their own homes. At the time of the inspection the service was providing support and personal care to two people in their own homes within a ‘supported living’ facility within the community. Supported living enables people who need personal or social support to live in their own home supported by care staff instead of living in a care home or with family. The levels of support people received from the service varied, according to their assessed needs and levels of independence.
There was a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission 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.
People felt safe when supported by staff from the service. Staff were aware of the risks to people on a daily basis and any changes to people’s needs were communicated to staff in a timely manner. People were supported by the same group of staff who had been safely recruited into their role, thereby reducing the risk of unsuitable people being employed by the service.
Staff were provided with the training and information required in order to support people to take their medicines safely. People were supported by staff who felt well trained and supported in their role.
Staff understood the importance of obtaining people’s consent prior to supporting them and had received training in the Mental Capacity Act (2005).
Staff were aware of people’s healthcare needs and supported people to access healthcare services where necessary.
People were supported by staff who they described as kind and caring. Staff supported people in a way that maintained their privacy and dignity and encouraged them to maintain their independence. People were supported to make their own decisions and were involved in the planning of their care.
People were involved in the planning of their care which provided staff with the information they required to meet their needs. People were supported to maintain their interests and take part in activities, by staff who knew them well. People’s views were actively sought on the quality of the care they received.
People were confident that if they did raise concerns, they would be dealt with appropriately.
People and staff spoke positively about the service and considered it to be well led. Staff felt supported and listened to and were encouraged to raise any concerns they may have.
Audits were in place to assess the quality of the care and support people received.