Background to this inspection
Updated
24 March 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to check on a specific concern we had about the use of personal protection equipment, following national guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and the management of people’s finances where they required support to do this.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses. They also provide care and support to people living in three ‘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.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission at the time of this inspection. A new manager had been appointed and was due to start work at Supported Lives Services shortly after our inspection. The deputy manager and the provider’s area manager were overseeing the service until the new manager started work.
A registered manager 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 inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity started and ended on 2 March 2021. We visited the office location on 2 March 2021.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and safeguarding teams. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed infection control risk assessments in relation to COVID-19. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with two members of staff including the deputy manager and a team leader.
We reviewed a range of records including people’s financial management records, daily records, staff risk assessments and competency checks in relation to COVID-19 and infection control.
Updated
24 March 2021
About the service
Supported Lives Services provides a domiciliary care service, providing support to people in their own homes. In addition, it provides service to people living in three supported living settings. In these instances, people's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people's personal care and support.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection, 10 people were receiving this service.
The service has 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 co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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. Records relating to decision making needed improvement and the registered manager responded to this need.
People felt safe and protected from the risk of harm. Staff understood their safeguarding responsibilities and records showed appropriate action was taken to safeguard people.
There were sufficient numbers of staff who had been safely recruited. They received a regular programme of support through training, supervision and appraisal. The training matrix showed high levels of completion in mandatory and specialist subjects.
Care plans were sufficiently detailed. Further developments were needed in respect of end of life care. Staff demonstrated their knowledge of people’s care needs and action needed to reduce risks to people.
People were supported by staff to access healthcare services and records. People’s dietary needs were identified and met by staff.
The service was well-led by the registered manager who people knew well. Staff felt able to approach the registered manager with any queries or concerns.
People and relatives spoke positively about the care provided by staff. People’s privacy and dignity needs were maintained and staff supported their equality, diversity and human rights. Communication needs were met through support plans and easy read documentation.
People received their medicines as prescribed. Medicines were safely managed by staff who had received up-to-date training. All but two staff had an up-to-date competency check.
Systems of governance provided sufficient oversight and lessons were learned when things went wrong.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 5 September 2018)
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.