ECHO Supported Living Services Limited

Updated 6 November 2021

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

The inspection began on the 14 October 2021 when we carried out telephone calls to relatives and reviewed records. On the 18 October we visited the providers offices and two supported living houses.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ locations, 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 meant 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 we needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection and ensure people would be available to speak with us.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority, Healthwatch, CCG and professionals who work with the service. We reviewed the information received 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 used all this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We met and spoke with two people who were using the service and spoke with three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 11 members of staff including the registered manager, provider, deputy manager, office manager, senior support workers and support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management and quality assurance of the service.

Updated 6 November 2021

About the service

ECHO Supported Living Services is a supported living service providing personal care. The service is registered to support people with autism and/or a learning disability. Each person has their own individual lease agreement with the housing association and a separate contractual agreement for their support.

At the time of our inspection the service was supporting three people living in their own homes in the Walsall area. The service was providing 24-hour support.

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

Systems were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse and harm. People’s support needs were risk assessed and care plans provided staff with the information they needed to manage the identified risk. The provider carried out recruitment checks to ensure staff were suitable for the role.

Staff had the necessary skills to carry out their role. Staff had regular training opportunities and training specific to people’s individual needs was provided. There was enough staff on duty to support people. People received their medicines as prescribed. Infection control policies and procedures were in place to keep people safe.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way 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.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. There was a strong focus on supporting people to be independent, develop their skills and access their local community. This enabled people who used the service to live as full as life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes.

People's individual communication needs were considered to support them to be involved in their care. Systems and processes in place promoted a positive culture in the home. Practices at the service were audited to monitor quality of the care people received and areas of improvement were identified.

Rating at last inspection

This is the first rating of this service. The service was registered with us on 09 January 2020.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as the service had not previously received a rating.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.