Adaptable Support Ltd

Updated 31 July 2021

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

One inspector and one Expert by Experience carried out the inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats.

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 the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service, including information from the provider about important events that had taken place at the service, which they are required to send us. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service and 10 relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager and carers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and four staff files in relation to recruitment. 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.

Updated 31 July 2021

About the service

Adaptable Support Ltd provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. The agency covers a wide range of dependency needs and age ranges that included adults, older adults and children. At the time of the visit there were 11 people receiving personal care support.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (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.

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

People benefitted from exceptionally caring staff that provided continuity of support. The feedback from people demonstrated the caring and empowering culture was well embedded across the organisation. One relative commented, “The staff are brilliant, worth their weight in gold.”

The registered manager led the service in delivering personalised and innovative support that promoted a flexible, person centred culture. One relative commented, “They [staff] are always available on the phone should I need them and will always do whatever they can to help.” The service had robust governance procedures to ensure a quality service was delivered by staff who were motivated to meet people’s needs and wants.

Safeguarding procedures were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse by staff who understood and were trained on how to recognise and respond to concerns. Safe recruitment practices were followed and there were enough staff deployed to meet people’s needs. Infection control systems and audits ensured staff had access to suitable amounts of appropriate personal protective equipment. Staff were participating in regular testing for the COVID-19 virus to minimise the risk of spreading the infection and help keep people safe.

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.

The registered manager tailored people’s support to ensure it was flexible in delivering positive outcomes and meeting people’s physical and emotional needs. Positive communication and valued engagement were embedded through the service. Staff supported people to live healthier lives that included when appropriate, help and guidance with their healthcare, nutrition and hydration.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. Adaptable Support Ltd supported people’s choice to live and be a valued and visible part of their local communities. The care was tailored to meet people’s needs and the continuity of support fostered positive relationships. One relative commented, “All his care is tailored to his needs. They are exactly what [family member] requires.” The positive values embedded within the service empowered people and enhanced the quality of their lives.

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

Rating at last inspection

The service was registered with CQC on 23/05/2019. This was their first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.