Social Care Solutions Ltd (Herts & Bucks)

Updated 7 May 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check on some specific concerns we had about infection control and prevention measures. We did not assess all of the key questions at this inspection, but will do so at the next comprehensive inspection of the service.

Inspection team

This inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Service and service type

Social care Solutions Herts and Bucks is a supported living service providing support to people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, dementia and mental health needs who live within the supported living schemes. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 10 people six people at one service and four people at another supported living 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

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because we needed to know that the registered manager would be available to support the inspection process.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We considered this information when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection we visited the registered office and spoke with the registered manager. We looked around the building to check the cleanliness and observe staff were wearing correct PPE.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the settings managers to validate evidence found. We reviewed the providers infection prevention and control policy, infection control audits and other documentation related to the management of COVID-19 risks.

Updated 7 May 2021

About the service:

This service 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.

People lived in their own individualised flats. At the time of the inspection Social care solutions were supporting 10 people.

People’s experience of using this service:

• People were empowered to achieve their hopes and dreams by staff that were kind and caring and enjoyed spending time in their company. Staff were passionate about enabling people to have maximum choice and control over all aspects of their lives.

• Staff encouraged people to take positive risks to promote their independence and quality of life. They actively engaged people and their relatives in reviewing care delivery to ensure it was meeting their needs.

• People’s privacy and dignity was respected, as were their choices. People’s diverse needs were embraced and staff supported people to express their individuality.

• People received safe care from staff that understood how to recognise and protect them from abuse. Staff had received training relevant to their role and were well supported by the management team.

• People’s relationships with family and friends were actively supported. People and relatives fed back they were happy with the care provided by social care solutions.

Staff felt well supported by the management team. Any complaints raised were effectively responded to and appropriate action was taken.

More information is in the detailed findings below.

Rating at last inspection:

This is the first comprehensive inspection under this registration. The service was registered on 22 December 2017.

Why we inspected:

This was a planned inspection.

Follow up:

Going forward we will continue to monitor this service and plan to inspect in line with our reinspection schedule for those services rated Good.