Background to this inspection
Updated
10 January 2020
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 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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The previous registered manager left just before this inspection and the provider was in the process of recruitment. This means that the provider is legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. 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. We also wanted to be sure a representative of the provider could be available to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 12 November 2019 and ended on 14 November 2019. We visited the office location on 12 November and visited people in their home on 14 November 2019.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. 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 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.
We met three people who used the service to find out about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff, including a senior manager, two managers and care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medicines records. We looked at three 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.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data. We received positive feedback from two healthcare professionals who have regular involvement with people, the manager and staff at the service.
Updated
10 January 2020
About the service
Agincare Enable Limited was providing care and support to six people living in one supported living setting at the time of inspection. The service provides specialist support to people with learning disabilities and autism, to help them to live as independently as possible and achieve their goals. Staff provided flexible support across 24 hours, including overnight staff.
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 had access to shared areas and private areas and could lock their bedroom doors to maintain their privacy and security. Two people lived in self-contained accommodation within the grounds of the main supported living service. The garden was accessible and although a gardener helped out, people were able to get involved in gardening if they wished.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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 to gain new skills and become more independent. Staff supported people to make the choices and decisions they were able to on a day to day basis. People were part of the local community, accessing local shops and leisure opportunities. People told us about the holidays they were planning to take.
There were enough staff to make sure people received the support they were assessed as needing, including going out to their chosen activities. Some people needed to have more supervision than others. Risks were carefully and positively managed while promoting independence. Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and helping people to understand how to stay safe.
Staff received the training, support and supervision they needed to carry out their role and continue their personal development. Staff supported people to maintain and improve their health by encouraging a healthy diet and to access healthcare when needed.
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’s care and support was individual, planned and provided in a way that put them at the centre of planning. Staff knew people well, their likes, dislikes and what and who was important to them. The individual way people communicated was key to the support provided, including verbally, or by their behaviour or body language.
There was an open culture, led by an operational manager and two local managers, who were described by staff as being approachable and supportive. People knew the managers and were relaxed in their company. The provider had a good oversight of the service, using their monitoring processes to make sure people received a good quality and safe service.
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 11 December 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned comprehensive inspection.
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.