Background to this inspection
Updated
31 December 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Unlike our standard approach to assessing performance, we did not physically visit the office of the location. This is a new approach we have introduced to reviewing and assessing performance of some care at home providers. Instead of visiting the office location we use technology such as electronic file sharing and video or phone calls to engage with people using the service and staff.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, 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.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager to oversee the delivery of regulated activities at this location. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 24 hours’ 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 able to the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection.
We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We visited the office location on the 11 November to continue reviewing documentation. Inspection activity started on 26 October 2022 and ended on 11 November 2022.
We spoke with 2 people and 1 relative. We also spoke with the registered manager, deputy manager and placement coordinator. We spoke with 3 members of staff. We reviewed a range of records. This included 2 people's care plans and risk assessments and staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures.
Updated
31 December 2022
About the service
Forward Community Care is a supported living service providing personal care support to younger and older adults and those living with a mental health condition. At the time of our inspection there were 2 people using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were not always supported to receive their medicines in a consistent way. Medicines people received on an as required basis did not have a protocol in place for the instances where this should be provided. We raised this the Registered Manager and they took steps to rectify this.
We also noted an electronic medicines administration record (MAR) was used in the majority of medicines administration and when a medicine was given late it was not clear when this had been given on the MAR.
We have made a recommendation about medicines management and recording.
People were supported to receive medicines on time from external health professionals to keep them healthy.
People told us they felt safe. Relatives told us their family member was kept safe at the service.
Staff showed they understood people’s risks and how to protect them from the potential risk of harm by following their risk assessments.
Safeguarding procedures were followed, and staff knew the signs to look for if they suspected abuse and how to report concerns. A safeguarding and whistleblowing policy was available to provide guidance and support.
There were enough staff to support people using the service and people were supported by a consistent staff team. Staff had been recruited to the service following safe recruitment practices.
The risk of infection was minimised and staff followed good hygiene practices. Staff had enough personal protective equipment.
People’s needs were assessed in depth before they began to use the service. People were involved in the care planning process with the relatives.
Staff were supported to have the skills and knowledge when providing care and support to people. Records confirmed specialist training was sourced in mental health to ensure staff could understand people’s needs. Consent to care was requested before it was provided.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People were encouraged to eat healthily and to stay hydrated.
Staff treated people in a kind and respectful way. People were able to build trusting relationships with staff as staff took the time to listen to them and understand their individual needs.
There was no discrimination at the service and people regardless of their race, religion, sexuality or gender were welcome at the service. People’s privacy and dignity and independence was respected and encouraged.
People’s individual care needs were documented and reviewed regularly. People were supported to raise concerns with staff for them to be investigated.
Quality assurance systems were in place to monitor the service. Feedback was requested from people and relatives. Staff enjoyed working at the service and told us the management team were supportive and approachable.
The registered manager showed us records they had applied to have their address changed and this was currently being processed.
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 27 July 2020 and this was the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on this being a newly registered service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.