Springfields Supported Services

Updated 31 January 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 was carried out by one inspector on 9 January 2018 and was announced. We gave the provider notice as we wanted to ensure that someone would be available to support us with the inspection.

Before the inspection we reviewed relevant information that we had about the provider. We also received a provider information return (PIR) from the service. A PIR 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 made contact with social and health professionals that the service worked with to obtain feedback about the service.

During the inspection we visited the providers head office and the supported living site. We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed four people’s care plans, which included risk assessments and five staff files, which included pre-employment checks. We looked at other documents held at the service such as medicines management, training and quality assurance records. We spoke to the registered manager, a care staff member and one person who received care from the service.

After the inspection we spoke to one person and two staff by telephone.

Updated 31 January 2018

We carried out an announced inspection of Springfields Supported Services on 9 January 2018. This service provides care and support to people living in a supported living setting, so that they can 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; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. This was the first inspection of the service since they registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Four people were living at the supported living site who needed support with personal care.

The service had a registered manager. 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 legal requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and the associated regulations on how the service is managed.

Records had not been kept of the findings and the areas that had been covered during audits. This was important to make sure that any identified actions can be monitored to ensure this had been implemented and to keep people safe at all times.

Risks had been identified. Information and processes were in place on how to lessen risks to ensure people received safe care. Staff were aware of how to identify abuse and knew who to report abuse to, both within and outside the organisation. Medicines were managed safely and people had been receiving their prescribed medicines. Staff told us they had time to provide person centred care and had enough staff to support people. There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Staff had been trained on infection control and knew how to ensure risks of infection were minimised when supporting people. Pre-employment checks had been carried out to make sure staff were suitable to care for people safely.

Staff had received training required to perform their roles effectively. People were cared for by staff who felt supported. Staff had received regular supervisions and told us that they were supported in their role. Staff knew the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People’s care and support needs were assessed regularly for effective outcomes. The service worked with health professionals if there were concerns about people’s health.

People had a positive relationship with staff. People told us that staff were caring and their privacy and dignity were respected by staff. People were involved with making decisions about their care.

Care plans were person centred and detailed people’s preferences, interests, communication ability and support needs. People knew how to make complaints and staff were aware of how to manage complaints.

Staff told us the service was well-led. People and staff were positive about the registered manager. People’s feedback was sought through regular review meetings and surveys had been recently sent to relatives for feedback of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.