Embark Head Office

Updated 5 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.

The inspection took place on the 2 and 3 August 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service. We wanted to be sure that someone would be in to speak with us.

The inspection team consisted of 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.

Before 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 they do well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at this and other information we held about the service.

Many of the people using the service were unable to answer our questions, however during our inspection we spoke with five relatives on the telephone. Two care staff and the registered manager.

We reviewed a range of records about people’s care and how the service was managed. These included the care records for four people, five staff training, support and employment records, incident reports and records relating to the management of the service.

The service was last inspected on the 25 and 26 November 2015 and was awarded the rating of Good. At this inspection the service remains Good.

Updated 5 September 2018

The inspection took place on 2 and 3 August 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a care at home service. We wanted to be sure that someone would be in to speak with us.

Embark Head Office provides care and support to 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.

At the last inspection on 25 and 26 November 2015, the service was rated as good in the areas of Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the overall rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

Staff had a good understanding of systems in place to manage medicines. People were supported to receive their medicines safely. Staffing levels were sufficient to ensure people's wellbeing and safety was protected. A robust recruitment and selection process was also in place. This ensured prospective new staff have the right skills and were suitable to work with people living in the home.

People and relatives were provided with information and guidance to access other services which were relevant to them for any on-going support they may need. Staff considered peoples capacity using the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) as guidance. People’s capacity to make decisions had been assessed. 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 continued to receive regular training and updates to have the right skills and knowledge to be able to meet people’s assessed needs. Staff had regular spot checks, supervisions and appraisals to help them to understand their roles and responsibilities.

Staff remained kind and caring and had developed good relationships with people. Relatives told us their loved ones were comfortable in the presence of staff. Relatives confirmed staff were caring and looked after people well. People were provided with the care, support and equipment they needed to stay independent in their homes.

People’s individual needs continued to be assessed and detailed care plans were developed to identify what care and support they required. People and relatives were consulted about their care to ensure wishes, aspiration, needs and preferences were met.

Quality assurance and information governance systems remained in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service. Relatives all told us that they were happy with the service provided and the way it was managed.