Archived: 23 Langdale Crescent

Updated 28 August 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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

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. 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 contacted the service on the day of the inspection to inform them of our visit. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us. The inspection activity started on 25 June and ended on 27 June 2019. We visited the office location which was on the same premises as one of the supported living schemes on 25 June 2019.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, we reviewed information we held about the service. This included information received from the provider as required by law to report certain types of incident and events. We sought feedback from local authorities who commissioned care from the provider and health and social care 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 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.

During the inspection -

We visited both supported living schemes to review records, speak to people, relatives and staff. We spoke with two people and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the nominated individual, registered manager and three support workers. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included care plans and risk management plans for three people and medicine records for one person. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment, training and supervision. We also looked at other records used in managing the service including staff rotas, accident and incident records, activities logs, audits and minutes of various meetings

After the inspection –

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We received feedback from all four health and social care professionals we contacted for their views about the service.

Updated 28 August 2019

About the service

23 Langdale Crescent provides personal care and support to three people with mental health and learning disabilities living in two supported living schemes in South East London. Both schemes were operated from two terrace houses which were staffed 24 hours a day.

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

The provider has failed to inform the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of accident and incidents that occurred at the service as required by law. The registered manager informed us this was an oversight and health and social care professionals confirmed they were informed promptly, and the provider took the right actions to ensure people remained safe.

People, their relatives and professionals were complimentary about the service. They said they or their loved ones felt safe using the service. People experienced care and support that was personalised to their needs to promote recovery. Assessments were carried out to ensure people’s needs could be met. Where risks were identified, management plans were in place to manage risks safely.

People were supported to receive their medicines safely. Appropriate numbers of staff were available to support people’s needs and the provider followed safe recruitment practices. Where accident and incidents had occurred, appropriate actions were taken, and lessons learnt to prevent future occurrences.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives, Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. People were supported to eat healthily and access healthcare services when required. People received support from staff that had completed training and were supervised in their role.

People received care and support from staff that were kind and attentive to their needs. People, their relatives and professionals were involved in making decisions about the care and support in place. People’s privacy and dignity was respected, and their independence promoted. Staff understood people’s divers needs and supported them in a caring way.

People were supported to maintain relationships with those important to them. People’s communication needs had been assessed and met. People and their relatives knew how to complain if they were unhappy about the service. There were systems in place to assess and monitor the quality of the service.

The service worked in partnership with health and social care professionals to plan and deliver an effective service. The registered manager understood their responsibility under the duty of candour to be open, honest and to take responsibility when things go wrong. The management team demonstrated a commitment to ensure people experienced meaningful, person centred and high-quality care.

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: This is the first inspection of the service since their registration with CQC on 19 October 2018.

Why we inspected

The inspection was prompted in part due to concerns received about the safety of people using the service, staff knowledge and skills in managing risks and staffing levels. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern. Please see the ‘Safe’, ‘Effective’, ‘Caring’ and Responsive’ sections of this full report. However, we found the provider had failed to notify us of significant events at the service. Please see the ‘Well-led’ section of this full report.

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.