Dunston

Updated 10 August 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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out this inspection.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so 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 short 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 since the last inspection. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with one person who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the senior support worker and received feedback via email from two support staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked 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.

Updated 10 August 2021

About the service

Dunston is a supported living service providing personal care to two people at the time of the inspection.

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

People received good care from kind and caring staff. People and staff had developed positive relationships which meant they interacted well. Staff treated people with dignity and respect.

Staff endeavoured to keep people as safe as possible. Staff knew about the whistle blowing procedure and were confident concerns would be taken seriously and dealt with. Staffing levels were sufficient to enable people to receive personalised care. People received their medicines on time and staff followed good IPC procedures to prevent infection.

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 this practice. People's needs were fully assessed to identify the care they required. This included discussing their wishes and aspirations for the future. Staff received good support and the training they needed. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and to access health care services.

People were involved in developing personalised care plans, which included goals for people to work towards. The provider followed the Accessible Information Standard (AIS). Information was made available in accessible formats to help with people’s understanding, such as safeguarding and how to complain. There had been no formal complaints received about the service.

There was a positive, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. People, relatives and staff were encouraged to share their views about the service. The provider had a structured approach to quality assurance which was used to improve the service.

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. The service prioritised people’s needs and staff supported them to make choices and promote their independence. People received personalised care and were treated with dignity and respect. The service had a person-centred ethos focused around the wishes of people.

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 6 August 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection to assess the standard of care delivered by the service and award a 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.