Background to this inspection
Updated
7 May 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 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 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.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we held about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority 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.
During the inspection
We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us. We spoke with four members of staff including the provider, registered manager, and two support workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication 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 and quality assurance records. We spoke with one relative, one staff member and three professionals who worked with the service.
Updated
7 May 2020
About the service
UK Care Services (Supported Living) Limited 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 provided support to younger adults and older people with learning disabilities and or autism, physical disabilities, mental health needs and sensory impairment. 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. At the time of our visit, they were providing personal care to two younger adults.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Relatives of people using the service and health and social care professionals involved in their care had no concerns about safety. Systems were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Risk assessments were completed to identify and manage risks to keep people safe. Staff were trained to support people to take their medicines. Measures were in place to protect people from the spread of infection. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure staff were suitable to support people. There were procedures for responding to accidents and incidents.
The service carried out assessments of people’s needs prior to the provision of care and support to ensure their needs could be met by the service. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff supported people to eat and drink enough to meet their needs. The service worked with other agencies to promote people’s health, safety and well-being. Staff working in the service received training and support to ensure they were competent to carry out their role.
People received care and support from staff who were caring and compassionate. Staff treated people in a respectful manner maintaining their dignity and encouraging independence. Systems were in place to protect people’s right to confidentiality. The service was respectful of people’s equality and diversity.
Support plans were person centred, included the individual needs of people, and were reviewed to reflect people’s changing needs. Complaints procedures were in place and relatives of people using the service were confident their concerns would be taken seriously and addressed. Peoples communication needs were assessed and staff we aware of how people wished to be communicated with. People were encouraged and supported to pursue their interests and hobbies.
Relatives of people using the service and staff, felt the service was well managed. There was an open and transparent culture. Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the running of the service and the effectiveness of systems in place. Feedback was welcomed to ensure continuous improvement of the 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 31/01/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on our current methodology of inspection scheduling.
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.