28 and 29 October 2015
During a routine inspection
Brandon Supported Living – Cotswold is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to people in their own homes which are supported living services. When we visited 16 people were using the service at four separate addresses.
The inspection was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our inspection. We did this to ensure we would be able to meet with people where they were receiving the service.
There were two registered managers in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider. 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. One registered manager was responsible for two supported living services in Cirencester where ten people received a service. Another was responsible for one supported living service in Stonehouse and one in Gloucester where a total of six people received a service.
People were safe because staff understood their role and responsibilities to keep people safe from harm. They knew how to raise any safeguarding concerns. People were supported to take appropriate risks and promote their independence, with individual plans put in place to protect people from harm. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. The provider carried out pre-employment checks to assess the suitability of staff before they started working with people. Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff prevented and controlled the risk of infection.
The service was effective because staff had been trained to meet people’s needs. Staff received supervision and appraisal aimed at improving the care and support they provided. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in supporting people to make their own choices and decisions. People were supported to eat a healthy diet and drink sufficient fluids. People’s health care needs were identified and met.
People received a caring service because staff treated people with dignity and respect. People were actively involved in planning the care and support they received. People were supported to maintain and develop their independence. People were assisted to keep in touch with family and friends.
The service was responsive because the care and support provided was individualised. The service adapted to people’s changing needs. The service made changes in response to people’s views and opinions.
People received a service that was well led because both registered managers and other senior staff provided good leadership and management. The values, vision and culture of the service was clearly communicated and understood. The quality of service people received was continually monitored and any areas needing improvement were identified and addressed.