Archived: Cornerstones Supported Living Services Head Office

Updated 27 September 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.

This inspection site visit took place on 15 and 16 August 2018 and was announced. We gave the service three days’ notice of the inspection visit because the people using the service can become unsettled by the presence of an unannounced visitor. This gave the provider an opportunity to plan our visit with the people using the service. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection we reviewed the information, we held about the service and the service provider. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager. Notifications are information about specific important events the service is legally required to send to us.

We spoke with five people, two relatives, three support staff, the registered manager and the operations manager. During the inspection we reviewed five people’s care plans and daily records. We reviewed records relating to the management of the service, including policies, procedures and staff personnel files. We looked at accident and incident reporting and quality assurance audits. Following the inspection one professional responded to our request for feedback about the service.

Updated 27 September 2018

This comprehensive inspection took place on 15 and 16 August 2018 and was announced.

Cornerstones Supported Living Services Head Office, provide supported living services for seven people in five different locations. This service provides care and support to people living in five ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live in their own home 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.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

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. Registering the Right Support CQC policy

People were safeguarded and staff knew how to recognise the signs of abuse and how to address any concerns they had. People had risks assessed which balanced their rights to freedom as well as keeping them safe. People’s medicines were managed safely.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and how to apply its principles when supporting people. Staff were supported through regular one to one supervision and had access to regular training and personal development.

People’s needs were assessed and a multi-disciplinary support plan developed to meet those needs. The service was responsive to people’s changing needs and support plans were regularly reviewed.

The staff were very caring and treated people with respect and dignity. People were fully encouraged to be involved in their care and treatment and in making daily choices. The service was committed to promoting people’s independence.

There were quality assurance audits in place to monitor the service and improvements were continuously sought. People and their relatives were encouraged to give feedback to facilitate change. There was a clear ethos of promoting person centred values and inclusion throughout the staff team.