Background to this inspection
Updated
2 February 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The inspection took place on 15, 17 and 22 November 2017and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice, as they provide a supported living service to people living in their own accommodation and we needed to be sure someone would be in the office to facilitate the inspection, as well as allowing time to arrange for us to speak to people using the service and staff members.
The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and an Expert by Experience, who carried out telephone interviews with people using the service and their relatives on 16 and 17 November 2017. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of service.
Prior to the inspection the service completed a Provider Information Return (PIR), which is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We also reviewed all the information we held about the service including statutory notifications and safeguarding referrals and contacted external professionals from the local authority.
The inspection was also informed by feedback from questionnaires completed by people using the service and staff members. These were sent out in advance of the inspection. Feedback received was complimentary about all aspects of the service and the support provided.
As part of the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, the locality manager, six staff members, nine people who used the service and two relatives.
We looked at five care plans, six staff files and five Medication Administration Record (MAR) charts. We also reviewed other records held by the service including audits, meeting notes and safety documentation.
Updated
2 February 2018
We carried out an announced inspection of Creative Support – Salford Locality 5 Learning Disabilities on 15, 17 and 22 November 2017. The service was newly registered in March 2016 and this was the first time it had been inspected.
Creative Support – Salford Locality 5 Learning Disabilities provides care and support to people with a learning disability or autistic spectrum disorder. The service comprises of nine ‘supported living’ settings within the Swinton area, so that people are provided the opportunity to 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 so this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. At the time of the inspection, 26 people were using the service.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
People using the service told us they felt safe. This view was supported by relatives, who felt their loved ones received safe care and effective support. The service had robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place. Staff had all received training in safeguarding vulnerable adults, which was refreshed and demonstrated a good understanding of how to report both safeguarding and whistleblowing concerns. Guidance was also clearly displayed in both the main office and each supported living property for reference.
People using the service and staff members told us staffing levels were appropriate to meet people’s needs. Rotas were completed within each property, by senior staff that had a good knowledge and understanding of people’s support requirements. From reviewing rotas we saw staffing was allocated based on people’s needs and plans, to ensure one to one activities could be facilitated at a time that suited each individual.
We saw robust recruitment procedures were in place to ensure staff working for the service met the required standards. This involved all staff having a Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check, at least two references and full work history documented. Staff personnel information was stored both at the main office and centrally with the provider.
We saw there were detailed policies and procedures in place to ensure safe and effective medicines management was maintained. Staff received training and were observed administering medicines to ensure they were competent. People who wanted to take responsibility for managing their own medicines were supported to do so. We saw the service carried out regular audits to ensure medicines had been administered correctly and documentation completed accurately.
Staff spoke positively about the training provided at the service. Staff told us regular training was provided, alongside which additional sessions could be requested in any areas of interest. We saw specific training was facilitated where necessary, such as for people with certain medical conditions or behavioural needs, to ensure staff supporting these people had the right skills and knowledge.
Staff also confirmed they received supervision and appraisal on a regular basis, which helped support them in their role and provided an opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns as well as future goals.
Both people using the service and relatives spoke positively about the standard of care provided. People told us that staff were friendly, helpful and kind and treated them with dignity and respect. We saw people were fully involved in all aspects of their care and encouraged to maintain or achieve as much independence as possible. The service utilised an ‘active support’ model, which aimed to encourage people to be involved in every aspect of their daily life, regardless of disability. People made their own choices about what they wanted to do, when and where they were supported. People were also encouraged to set and achieve their own personal goals.
We looked at five care plans, which contained detailed and personalised information about each person. Care plans also contained comprehensive risk assessments, which were regularly reviewed and helped to ensure people’s safety was maintained. We saw people had been involved in planning their care and were asked for their feedback through completion of person centred reviews, tenant meetings and questionnaires.
People had been supported to engage in a wide range of activities, some of which were arranged and run by the service within the providers Salford based ‘Hub’, where the office was located. People told us they could plan and attend activities of their choosing including their use of one to one hours.
We found there was a range of systems and procedures in place to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the service. Audits were carried out internally by both the registered manager and senior support workers, which included a monthly comprehensive audit of service provision as a whole.
Staff meetings took place on a regular basis, giving staff the opportunity to discuss their work and raise any concerns about practices within the service. Staff spoke positively about the support provided by the registered manager and locality manager, who were both described as supportive and approachable.