Archived: Alzheimer's Society - Sheffield

Updated 26 May 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the registered provider was 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.

This inspection took place on 3 and 4 April 2017 and short notice was given. We told the registered manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because the registered manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that the registered manager would be available. The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The expert by experience had experience in caring for older people and people living with dementia.

Before our inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the home. This included correspondence we had received and notifications submitted by the service. A notification must be sent to the Care Quality Commission every time a significant incident has taken place, for example where a person who uses the service experiences a serious injury.

We asked the provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This 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. The PIR was returned as requested.

We contacted Sheffield local authority to obtain their views of any support commissioned by them. Any information reviewed was used to assist with and inform our inspection.

As part of this inspection we spoke in person or over the telephone with ten people supported by Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield or their relatives, to obtain their views of the support provided. We visited two people in their own homes and spoke with them and two of their relatives. We also telephoned four people and were able to speak with one person receiving support and four relatives of people receiving support. In addition, we spoke with one person who visited the services office during this inspection to meet with us.

We visited the office and spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager, and four support workers. We also spoke with one support worker over the telephone.

We spent time looking at records, which included four people’s care records, three staff records and other records relating to the management of the service, such as training records and quality assurance audits and reports.

Updated 26 May 2017

Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield supports people living in their own homes who have a diagnosis of dementia before their 65th birthday. Support is based on individual need and access to activities in the local community and in people’s own homes is provided to facilitate breaks for carers. The agency office is based in the Hillsborough area of Sheffield, close to all amenities and transport links. The service is available 363 days each year from 7am to 11pm. At the time of this inspection Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield was supporting seven people whose support included the provision of the regulated activity ‘personal care’.

There was a registered manager at the service who was registered with CQC. 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 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Whilst the service had been operating in Sheffield for some years, the Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield office had moved location and was newly registered with CQC on 4 April 2016.

This was the locations first inspection and short notice was given. We told the registered manager two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because the registered manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure the registered manager would be available.

People receiving support and their relatives spoken with were positive about their experience of Alzheimer’s Society Sheffield. They told us they felt safe and they liked the support workers.

We found systems were in place to make sure people received their medicines safely should this type of support be required.

Staff recruitment procedures ensured people’s safety was promoted.

Staff were provided with relevant induction and training to make sure they had the right skills and knowledge for their role. Staff were provided with supervision and appraisal at appropriate frequencies for their development and support.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the registered provider’s policies and systems supported this practice.

The support provided was person centred and flexible to suit the needs of the person supported. Support staff were always introduced and matched with the person to facilitate good relationships. Staff knew people well and positive, caring relationships had been developed.

People were encouraged to express their views and opinions. Relatives told us they were involved in decisions about their family members support.

People were supported to access a range of leisure opportunities so their choices were respected and their independence was promoted.

People said they could speak with staff if they had any worries or concerns and they would be listened to.

There were effective systems in place to monitor and improve the quality of the service provided. Regular checks and audits were undertaken to make sure full and safe procedures were adhered to.