VP Community Care

Updated 9 August 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on 22 and 24 May 2018, and was a comprehensive inspection. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a supported living service for people in their own homes. We needed to be sure that someone from the service would be in.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector. Before our inspection visit we reviewed the information we held about the service, including notifications the provider sent us. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send us by law. For example, incidents resulting in serious injuries, or allegations of abuse. We sought the views of local authority commissioning teams. Commissioners are people who work to find appropriate care and support services, which are paid for by the local authority or by a health clinical commissioning group.

We used information the provider sent us in their Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and any improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection we met with one person who used the service and spoke with two relatives. We spoke with two care staff, two care co-ordinators, the training manager, the manager and the responsible individual, who is the provider. We looked at a range of records related to how the service was managed. These included five people's care records, two staff recruitment and training files, and the provider's quality auditing system.

Updated 9 August 2018

VP Community Care provides personal care and support for ten people living in ‘supported living’ settings, to help them 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 related support. The provider specialises in creating bespoke care packages for people living with conditions such as autism or acquired brain injury. VP Community Care provides this service to adults living in England.

The provider, who is registered with us as an individual, manages the service, so is not required to have a registered manager. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of Good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

People were supported with their care in ways which kept them safe. Risks associated with people’s health conditions were assessed, and care plans were developed with them, to manage any related risks identified to their safety whist promoting independence. Staff knew how to identify if people were at risk of abuse and were confident to report concerns. People had enough staff to support them at the times they needed. People's medicines were managed safely and in accordance with relevant professional guidance. The provider had an open culture where accidents and incidents were reviewed and improvements made when things went wrong.

People's health, nutritional, and social needs were assessed and provided in line with current legislation and nationally recognised guidelines. Staff had the skills, experience and knowledge to meet people’s individual needs. The provider supported staff to work alongside health and social care professionals, to ensure people’s needs were assessed and met effectively. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People were supported by staff who were caring and responded quickly to their needs. Staff were matched with people based not only on their skills, but also on personality and people’s preferences for staff. People and relatives were involved in planning and reviewing care, and people were supported to express their views about care. People were supported in ways which promoted respect, their dignity, and independence.

People received individualised care that was responsive to their needs. Relatives were positive about being involved in planning and reviewing people’s care, and felt they were listened to when they shared their knowledge. The provider had processes in place to listen to any concerns raised and took action when needed, to improve the quality of care.

The service was well-led. People were happy with the support they received, and relatives and health and social care professionals were positive about the way the service was managed. The provider promoted an open and inclusive culture within the service, and staff had clear guidance on the standards of care expected of them. The provider had systems to monitor and review all aspects of the service.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.