Background to this inspection
Updated
16 March 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: One inspector carried out this inspection.
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.
Service and service type: The service is a ‘domiciliary care agency’ providing care to people 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 31 December 2018 and ended on 17 January 2019. We visited the office location on 31 December 2018 and 9 January 2019 to see the manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures. We also visited people in two of the houses on 9 January 2019.
What we did: Information had been gathered before the inspection from notifications sent to us since the last inspection. Notifications are used to inform us about certain changes, events or incidents that occur. We received feedback from local authorities that contracted services with Creative Support – North East Lincolnshire Services and reviewed other information from people who made their views known to us.
The provider sent us a provider information return. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We spoke with two people, six relatives, the registered manager and three staff. We looked at care files belonging to four people who used the service and recruitment files and training records for two staff. We viewed records and documentation relating to the running and monitoring of the service and looked at records of complaints and compliments.
Updated
16 March 2019
About the service: This service provides care and support to people living in five supported living houses individually located within the community, 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.
Houses in multiple occupation are properties where at least three people in more than one household share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities.
Not everyone using Creative Support – North East Lincolnshire Services received regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided. The service supported 16 people when we inspected.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the following ways; promotion of choice and control, independence and inclusion. People’s support focussed on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
People’s experience of using this service: Staff were exceptionally motivated to provide person-centred care based on people’s choices, preferences and likes. People were extremely well supported to do the things they wanted to and go where they wished. Staff dedication was highly praised by health and social care professionals. Any dissatisfaction in receiving the service was addressed and resolved.
People were safe from harm because the provider had systems in place to manage safeguarding concerns and staff were appropriately trained in this area. Any risks they experienced were also managed and their homes were assessed for safety. However, this was hindered by a lack of available communal space in some of the houses. Sufficient numbers of staff were employed and worked in the houses so that people’s needs were met. People were safely supported with their medicines, keeping their homes clean and ensuring they had good food hygiene.
Staff were trained, skilled and well supported by the management team to do their job. We saw people had good relationships with the 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 policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Everyone we spoke with told us staff were kind and caring. They said people were respected, staff championed their privacy and dignity and encouraged their independence in all aspects of life.
People had the benefit of a service that was positive, inclusive and forward-looking. There was a registered manager in charge of the whole staff group and unit managers in each of the houses. The management team made lots of checks on how well the service was provided and documents held in the services office and the houses were secure to ensure confidentiality of people’s information.
More information is in the Detailed Findings section below.
Rating at last inspection: Good (The last report was published 16 July 2016)Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on previous rating.
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.