The Annexe

Updated 14 November 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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service is a supported living service. It 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. 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 gave the service 48 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 and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us. Our inspection activity started on 27 September 2019 and ended on 7 October 2019. We visited the office and house where people lived on 30 September 2019

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff including the registered manager and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and two people’s 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 14 November 2019

About the service

The Annexe is a service providing live in care to people in their homes. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

The service supported three people at one location, where two people received personal care. They shared a single ‘house in multi-occupation’. People who used the service had needs associated with learning disabilities and other complex needs.

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

People felt safe and at home at The Annexe. People were treated with dignity and respect and their lifestyle and equality needs and choices were understood and respected. The registered manager told us, “We know each person very well and are clear about the support they want”. People told us they were happy with the support they received. People had privacy when they wanted it.

People were protected from the risks of harm and abuse and any concerns they or staff had, were listened to and acted on. Risks had been assessed with people and family members acting on their behalf. People were supported to remain independent and as safe as possible in ways that had been agreed.

Staff supported people to remain healthy. People enjoyed a balanced diet which met their needs and were supported to lead active lives. People’s medicines were managed safely. People were protected from the risk of infection.

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.

People had planned their care with staff and were supported to maintain their routines. They were supported to take part in a range of activities they enjoyed. People had been offered the opportunity to share their end of life preferences and these had been documented.

The provider and registered manager had oversight of the service. They completed regular checks on the quality of care people received. People, staff and relatives were asked for their views about the service. These were listened to and acted on to improve the service.

The registered manager understood their legal responsibilities and had shared information with us and others when they needed to.

There were enough staff to support people when needed. Staff had the skills required to care for the people and were supported by the management team. Staff were recruited safely.

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.

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 service was registered with us on 16/10/2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a scheduled inspection based on timescale for unrated services.

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.