We carried out a review of the data available to us about Symbiosis House on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Symbiosis House, you can give feedback on this service.
Symbiosis House is a supported living scheme providing personal care and support to people who may be living with a mental health condition, a learning disability, autism, acquired brain injury, personality disorder and complex mental health issues with behaviour that challenges. At the time of inspection 13 people were living at the service but only one person was in receipt of regulated activity.
The scheme has several properties which support people to live independently. Each property provides a shared kitchen area, shared lounge and dining space, a bedroom and bathroom.
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. The service was supporting one person with personal care at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Relatives told us they felt that people were safe and were supported well by the staff team. Staff were knowledgeable of the needs of people and understood how to keep them safe. Safeguarding polices and processes were in 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.
Risks to people were assessed and reviewed regularly. Measures had been put in place to address identified risk. Families told us they had been involved in the assessment process.
Relatives spoke positively about the service. A relative told us, “We are really happy with the care. We see [Family member] returning to the person they useD to be. We are very pleased with how things are.”
People received support from staff who were trained in areas of care relevant to their needs. Relatives told us staff were kind and friendly and used their training appropriately to provide positive support.
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.
Based on our review of the service and records the service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The values of the management and staff supported people to lead confident and inclusive lives, developing skills of independence.
There were sufficient suitably skilled staff to meet the needs of people safely. A robust recruitment and induction process was in place which staff felt prepared them for their role.
Staff had received training in the safe administration and handling of medicine. Their knowledge and practice had been observed and checked by senior staff.
Quality assurance processes were in place to identify areas requiring improvement. A service improvement plan was in place to support driving improvements and development.
Staff enjoyed their role and were passionate about providing good quality care. One staff member told us, “I enjoy helping and encouraging people to learn new skills and become independent.” Another staff member said, “It is a nice place to work. Seeing people happy and settled is rewarding.”
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 22 July 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection as a newly registered service.
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.