Updated 6 October 2021
The inspection
This was a targeted inspection to follow up on specific concerns we had received about the service. The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the general level care given to people using the service. The concerns raised were around staffing levels, training, activities, nutrition and how people were supported and communicated with.
Inspection team
Two inspectors visited the service and were supported by another inspector to analyse the evidence. The inspection team included 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.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in the community. Some may be living at home with their family. Some live in one ‘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.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was announced.
We gave the service 18 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be at the office location to support the inspection. We also needed people to consent to us visiting them in the supported living location. We visited both the registered location and the supported living location on the same day during the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed the information we had received about the service. This included details of its registration, previous inspection reports and any notifications of serious incidents the provider had sent us. We sought feedback from the local authority.
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 key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the registered manager who was also the nominated individual. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We also spoke with the scheme manager, one member of care staff and a member of office staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records in relation to risk assessments and behaviour management. We observed care and support provided in communal areas. We spoke with one person who used the service.
After the inspection
We spoke with one member of care staff. The registered manager sent us documentation we requested including rotas, training records and quality assurance documentation.