Background to this inspection
Updated
23 May 2019
The inspection:
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team:
This inspection was conducted by one inspector.
Service and service type:
The service is a ‘domiciliary care agency’ providing care to people in their own home or housed under supported living arrangements (supported living houses). People with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder or sensory impairment use the service.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they 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:
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because we wanted to make sure someone would be at the services office to see us.
Inspection site visit activity started on 26 April 2016 when we visited the office location to see the manager and office staff and to review care records and policies and procedures. We also visited some people who lived in two supported living services.
What we did:
Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service.
We asked the service to complete a Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
We spent time with four people using the service to observe interaction between people and staff. We spoke with the registered manager, and three care staff. We also spoke with four relatives to ask for their views on the service. We looked at the care records of three people who used the service, records of staff training and development and other records relating to the management of the service.
Updated
23 May 2019
About the service:
London SLS is a division of United Response which provides support and personal care to people with a range of disabilities who live in supported living accommodation. The personal care and/or support people receive is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, but their accommodation is not. The service aims to enable people to be as independent as possible. Properties are located in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Islington, Camden, Ealing, Merton and Richmond-upon-Thames. London SLS also provides some outreach support to people who live in their own homes.
People’s experience of using this service:
• At this inspection the service met the characteristics of Good in all areas.
• People received safe care and support. The provider had systems in place to manage safeguarding concerns and staff were appropriately trained in this area.
• People were safe from harm because appropriate risk assessments had been carried out with regard to activities people took part in as well as the safety of the premises.
• Sufficient numbers of staff were employed and worked in the service so that people’s needs were met.
• People were safely supported with their medicines and general health.
• Care staff had received training to enable them to carry out their role effectively.
• Care staff were supported by their management team to do their job.
• People had good relationships with care staff who protected their rights to lead as normal a life as possible. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.
• The service had policies and management systems which supported and ensured good care practice.
• Relatives told us they felt people were safe and well cared for in their home. Some people were unable to provide detailed verbal feedback but were able to indicate that they felt comfortable and at ease with staff. Other people spoke positively about the service they received.
• We found where people lacked capacity that the appropriate authorisations were in place with regard to lasting power of attorney.
• People accessed health care services when needed and records were maintained in relation to each person’s health, appointment visits and medicines.
• People were supported to take part in activities of interest and their preferences, likes and dislikes were known to staff.
• The provider had a complaints procedure which relatives were aware of, although the service had an open-door policy which welcomed informal discussions and conversations whenever needed.
Rating at last inspection
At our last inspection of 5 December 2016 the service was rated “Good”.
Why we inspected:
• This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.
Follow up:
• We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk