Background to this inspection
Updated
23 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
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors, an assistant inspector and an Expert-by-Experience. 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 provides care and support to people living in six ‘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 care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection.
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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and we wanted to be sure the provider or the 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 since they were registered. 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 two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager and the regional area manager and support staff.
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 two professionals who work alongside the service.
Updated
23 July 2021
About the service
Choice Supported Living - Salisbury is a supported living service providing personal care to autistic people and people with a learning disability, in their own homes. The service was supporting 10 people in six locations at the time of the inspection.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People received kind and compassionate care from staff who were committed to promoting their human rights.
The registered manager led by example and encouraged a culture of person centred care and empowering people to make their own choices.
Staff recognised the importance of individualised care and people’s care plans included this approach throughout.
People received safe care and treatment. Risks were assessed and reviewed. Staff managed people’s risks well, balancing safety and freedom.
The service was well-led. The provider’s quality assurance systems and processes were effective and there was a focus on continuous improvement.
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 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 some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support:
• People were supported to make menu plans and shopping lists. People were encouraged to prepare their meals where able. One person told us how much they enjoyed cooking for themselves.
• Right care:
• People’s care plans were written from a positive ‘can do’ perspective. The emphasis was on what the person could do for themselves and contained specific goals they wanted to reach.
Right culture:
• Staff told us they came to work to focus on the people they supported to have a fulfilling and meaningful life.
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 1/7/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on our inspection schedule.
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.