South Ribble Domiciliary Service

People’s experience of using this service: Everyone we spoke with provided us with very positive comments about the quality of service provided and the ability of the staff team. Systems to act on allegations of abuse were in place. A wide range of risk assessments had been developed and potential risks were being managed well.

A system was in place for the reporting and recording of accidents and incidents. Staff had received training in medication awareness and guidance for staff was available. Staff were recruited safely.

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. People's needs and choices were assessed and their care and support was delivered to achieve effective outcomes. Staff engaged with people and we were told care workers were kind and caring. Positive feedback was provided by people we spoke with.

New staff received an in-depth induction programme and a broad range of training had been completed by all staff, who were regularly supervised and observed at work.

Support plans were detailed and person-centred. They reflected people’s assessed needs and had been reviewed regularly. Any changes in need had been recorded well. Daily activities were highlighted and monitored by the management team.

Systems were in place for the management of complaints. However, none had been received, but people told us they would know how to make a complain, should the need arise. Everyone we spoke with provided us with very positive comments about the quality of service provided and the staff team. Audits had taken place and feedback was regularly obtained from those who used the service and their relatives. Regular team meetings had been conducted and staff members felt able to approach the managers with any concerns, should they need to do so.

Rating at last inspection: The service was rated good at the last inspection (Published on 24 December 2016).

Why we inspected: This was a scheduled inspection based on the previous ratings.

Follow up: The service will be re-inspected as per our inspection programme. We will continue to monitor any information we receive about the service. We may bring the next inspection forward if we receive any concerning information.

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

Preston and South Ribble Domiciliary Service is a branch of Lancashire County Council's supported living services. The service provides personal care and support to adults with learning and physical disabilities in their own homes. The purpose of the service is to enable people to live as independently as possible in the community.

During our previous inspection visit in September 2013 we found the service met all five of the essential standards we looked at. Since then there had been no incidents or concerns raised that have needed investigation.

There was a registered manager in post on the day of our inspection visit. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We found that people who used this service were safe. The staff knew how to protect people from harm. Staff had completed training in the safety of vulnerable adults and knew the signs to look for and how to report any incidents of concern.

We saw that recruitment procedures were robust this ensured only suitable people worked in the service. We saw that staffing levels according to the rotas were good throughout all areas of the service. Staff training was up to date and we saw that staff were supported by the management team through regular staff supervision and appraisals.

We found that the service worked very well with a variety of external agencies such as social services and health care professionals to provide appropriate care and support to meet people’s physical and emotional needs.

People received support from a regular team of staff who they knew well and who understood the care and support they required. We saw that people were treated with kindness, dignity and respect and they made positive comments about the staff who worked in their homes.

Support was given in a manner to people to promote their independence for example supporting them to join in with further education and activities in the community.

The service followed the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of practice. This helped to protect the rights of people who were not able to make important decisions themselves. Best interest meetings were held to assist people who were not always able to make difficult decisions for themselves and where relevant independent advocacy was arranged if required.

People that we met appeared very content in their surroundings and clearly got along well with their support workers. All the feedback we received was very positive and people told us they were happy with their service and spoke about things they enjoyed doing. People's comments included:

' I go to the hairdressers. I work at the church. I am very busy!'

' We go on holidays! I went to Blackpool and that was great!'

'I like it in this house. All the ladies are nice ladies.'

One person introduced us to his pet cat and told us he was going to get a pet fish. It was obvious he enjoyed caring for his pet and staff support was provided to assist him in doing so.

During this inspection we assessed standards relating to the care, welfare and involvement of people who used services. We also assessed the provider's arrangements for safeguarding people from abuse and monitoring the quality and safety of the service. Arrangements for training and supporting staff were also inspected. We did not identify any concerns about any of the areas we assessed.