Archived: Brentford Supported Living

Updated 9 December 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 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.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 8 November 2017 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location was a small supported living service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.

The inspection was carried out by one 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.

Prior to the inspection the provider completed 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. We reviewed the information sent to us in the PIR and notifications we had received from the provider. Notifications are for certain changes, events and incidents affecting the service or the people who use it that providers are required to notify us about. We also contacted two healthcare and three social care professionals and received feedback from two.

During the inspection, we observed support being delivered to people to help us understand people’s experiences of using the service. We also looked at records, including five people’s care plans, four staff records, medicines administration records and records relating to the management of the service. We spoke with seven people who used the service, the registered manager, a team leader and two support workers.

Updated 9 December 2017

Brentford Supported Living is part of the Frances Taylor Foundation. The service provides care and support to eight women with a learning disability aged between 32 and 82 living in a supported living setting. The service is split into two rented houses in nearby locations.

At the last inspection on 3 November 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection on 8 November 2017, we found the service remained Good.

There were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of harm. There were enough staff on duty to meet people's needs and there were always additional staff able to cover in the event of staff absence. Employment checks were in place to obtain information about new staff before they were allowed to support people.

The risks to people's safety and wellbeing were assessed and regularly reviewed. People were supported to manage their own safety and remain as independent as they could be. The provider had processes in place for the recording and investigation of incidents and accidents.

People were supported to be independent with the management of their medicines and there were regular audits by the management team.

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

Staff had undertaken training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and were aware of their responsibilities in relation to people who might be deprived of their liberty. They ensured people were given choices and the opportunity to make decisions.

The provider ensured people's nutritional needs were met. People planned their meals, shopped for ingredients and cooked their own food with the support of staff.

People were supported by staff who were sufficiently trained, supervised and appraised. The service liaised with other services to share ideas and good practice.

People’s healthcare needs were met and staff supported them to attend medical appointments.

People lived in a comfortable environment which was clean and free of hazards. They were able to personalise their bedrooms as they wished.

Staff were caring and treated people with dignity, compassion and respect. Support plans were clear and comprehensive. They recorded people's individual needs, detailed what was important to them, how they made decisions and how they wanted their care to be provided.

Throughout the inspection, we observed staff caring for people in a way that took into account their diversity, values and human rights. People were supported to make decisions about their activities, both at their home and in the community.

Information about how to make a complaint was available to people and their families, and they felt confident that any complaint would be addressed by the management.

There was a clear management structure at the service, and people and staff told us that the management team were supportive and approachable. There was a transparent and open culture within the service and people and staff were supported to raise concerns and make suggestions about where improvements could be made.

The provider had effective systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and where issues were identified, they were addressed promptly.