Alpha Care Solutions Ltd

Updated 19 October 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 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.

The inspection took place on 24, 25 and 27 September 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service for younger adults who often go out during the day so we needed to be sure someone would be in.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held about this service. This included statutory notifications which contain information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We also looked at the Provider Information Return which is a form that tells us about the service and any improvements they plan to make.

As part of our inspection we visited two people receiving care and support in their own home. Due to their complex needs, these people were unable to express their views about the service so we spent time observing the interactions between the people and the staff supporting them. We spoke with the registered manager, the company director, the care manager and two members of care staff. We also spoke with two relatives of people who used the service and reviewed written feedback from two health care professionals.

We looked at two people's care plans and daily notes and other records relating to the management of the service including staff files, minutes of meetings, quality audits and satisfaction surveys.

Updated 19 October 2018

The inspection took place on 24, 25 and 27 September 2018. The inspection was announced as Alpha Care Solutions is a small supported living scheme and we wanted to be sure that someone would be in when we inspected.

We last inspected the service in March 2016 at which time it was rated good. At this inspection we rated the service as good.

This service provides care and support to four people living in two ‘supported living’ settings, 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.

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.

There was a registered manager in post who was also the registered provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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 registered manager was supported by a company director and a care manager, both of whom were present on the day of the inspection visit.

People who lived in the service appeared happy and at ease with staff. They were not able to talk to us about the care and support they received so we observed staff interactions and spoke with relatives who expressed confidence in the ability of staff to keep them safe.

Risks to people had been individually assessed and staff knew what to do to manage those risks which supported people to do the things they wanted and live their lives fully.

Staff and the management team were trained in safeguarding and were able to describe types of abuse and what they could do to protect people from the risk of harm.

Medicines were stored, administered and disposed of safely by staff who had been trained and assessed as competent in medicine management.

There were sufficient staff who had been safely recruited to meet people's needs. Spot checks were carried out to ensure the quality and competency of staff.

Infection control measures were in place for staff to protect people from the risk of infection through training, cleanliness and the use of protective clothing where required.

People’s needs had been holistically assessed including their strengths and abilities which promoted their dignity and autonomy.

Staff received ongoing support and training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to be competent in their role.

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.

The service assisted people to have enough to eat and drink which met their health needs and preferences. Staff provided support as needed to help people access healthcare services and maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

People were always respected by staff and treated with kindness. We saw staff being respectful, considerate and communicating exceptionally well with people. People were encouraged to be as independent as possible and maintain relationships that were important to them.

Staff helped people to have enough to do. People had opportunities to access the community and engage in a range of activities at home and in the community of their choosing.

There were systems in place to respond to complaints. People and their relatives were provided with information on how to make a complaint or raise minor concerns.

The service delivered was regularly reviewed through a range of audits. People who used the service and their representatives were regularly asked for their views about the service they received through questionnaires .

Further information is in the detailed findings below