Chesham Supported Living

Updated 12 December 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

Our inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. We do not regulate premises used for supported living; our inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service, which included information received about the service since the last inspection. We also checked for feedback we received from members of the public, local authorities and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). We contacted relatives, health workers and social care professionals who work with the service. We checked records held by other agencies such as Companies House and the Information Commissioner’s Office. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.

During the inspection

We spoke and interacted with five people who used the service. We observed their interactions with staff during the day. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, four care workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including audits, policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We received written feedback from relatives and professionals who regularly visit the service.

Updated 12 December 2019

About the service

Chesham Supported Living is a ‘supported living’ service that provides personal care to people in group settings. The service supports adults with learning disabilities and autism, people with dementia, and those with physical disabilities or sensory impairments. At the time of the inspection, 21 people received ‘personal care’.

There was one building where the service provided ‘supported living’, which was divided into two houses. People using the service lived in either one of the 14 self-contained flats or the seven bedsits. People who lived in the bedsits had staff always available to support their complex needs. People who lived in the flats were more independent and had care workers to support them only when required. Both houses had communal facilities available, and each person had their own bedroom.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People’s care was safe, and they were protected from harm. Care records showed risks were appropriately assessed and controlled. There were enough staff to ensure people’s safe support. People were able to manage their medicines independently or receive support from staff.

Staff received a large amount of training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to provide the right support. People’s needs, and preferences were recorded, and staff ensured that people’s support was tailored to their individual needs. Staff worked with other agencies and healthcare professionals to ensure people led a healthy lifestyle.

People received care from dedicated and kind staff. We observed that people enjoyed time with the care workers, and that the registered manager was patient and caring when people dropped in to her office throughout the day. Relatives explained an inclusive culture, where people were included in the support planning and any changes.

People’s care was personalised. They led active social lives and were encouraged to build relationships with others in the local community. Staff provided support to people when they needed it, and this fostered their independence. We made a recommendation about end of life care planning.

The service was well-led. The registered manager and deputy manager were well respected by people, relatives and staff. Care workers told us the managers were supportive, visible within the day-to-day support setting and ensured people received high quality care. Checks were regularly conducted to ensure a safe, effective and well-led service.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 12 April 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.