Background to this inspection
Updated
10 June 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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to a person living in their own home, so they can live as independently as possible. The persons care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at personal care and support.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means 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 the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 29 April 2021 and ended on 04 May 2021. We visited the office location on 29 April 2021.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registering with the Care Quality Commission. We used this information to plan our inspection. 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.
During the inspection
We spoke with one person who used the service, one relative and one professional who worked closely with the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager and care workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care records and 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 also 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
10 June 2021
About the service
True Colours Inclusive CIC is a supported living service providing personal care to one person at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Safeguarding policies and procedures were in place and being followed. Appropriate risk assessments were in place and accidents and incidents were being recorded. Medicines were managed safely. Infection prevention control (IPC) practices were being followed and the service had a good stock of personal protective equipment (PPE). The service was adequately staffed, though safe recruitment procedures had not always been followed. We made a recommendation the service reviews their recruitment procedure.
The service were considering the needs and choices of the person and supported the person to maintain a balanced diet. Staff received supervisions, but these were not happening in line with their policy. The service worked closely with a variety of professionals. Staff received necessary training on their induction, but some had not received regular refresher training. Staff understood the mental capacity act and signed consent to care forms were in place. We made a recommendation for the service to review their training and supervision policy.
Equality and diversity was respected, and staff supported the person to be as independent as possible. The person was able to express their views and regular meetings were held in which they were involved.
The service provided person centred care and a detailed care plan was in place. The person was supported to take part in activities and make everyday choices. Communication needs were being met through various different ways of communication. Complaints were recorded and handled in line with their policy. Although no one was in receipt of end of life care, the service had an end of life policy in place.
Some concerns were identified around the governance of the service, as the audits in place did not identify the issues mentioned above. Confidential information was stored securely. Regular meetings were taking place between the service and the person. However, no feedback surveys had been sent out to staff, family or the service user. Staff spoke positively about the management. A whistle-blowing policy was in place and any incidents or concerns were reported to the local authority and CQC. Lessons learned were taking place.
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. 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 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.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The person was given choices and the service promoted independence where possible. The staff knew the service user well and person-centred care was being provided. The service was supportive, and staff spoke positively about the manager and told us how they supported the service user to take part in various activities which was focussed around service user choice.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Why we inspected
This service was registered with us on 3 June 2019 and this is the first inspection.