Archived: Living Independently Staffordshire - Cannock

Updated 17 April 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 checked 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.

This announced inspection took place on 1 and 5 March 2018. We gave the provider two days’ notice as they provide support to people in their own homes, and we had to gain people’s permission to contact them. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and an expert by experience. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service. The expert by experience spoke with people on the telephone on the first day. The inspector visited the office location on both days to speak with staff and review care records, policies and procedures.

We used information we held about the service and the provider to assist us to plan the inspection. This included notifications the provider had sent to us about significant events at the service. As part of our planning, we reviewed information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). 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 improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with eight people who used the service, one relative and a team leader from a local community team. We also reviewed recent feedback from five community professionals. We spoke with four support workers, a co-ordinator, and the manager. We looked at the care files of two people who used the service to see if their information was accurate and up to date. We reviewed one staff file to see how they were recruited and checked information about their training. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service. This included audits the registered manager had in place to ensure the quality of the service was continuously monitored and reviewed.

Updated 17 April 2018

Living Independently Staffordshire, Cannock provides personal care support to people living in their own homes in the community. At the time of our inspection, 25 people were receiving support. This is a reablement service, which is available for a specific time period (usually up to six weeks), to enable people regain their physical ability and re-build their confidence following a period of ill health. This announced inspection took place on 1 and 5 March 2018.

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. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.

People continued to be safe receiving support, and staff understood how to safeguard people from harm. Risks were managed to reduce potential hazards. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs, and the provider followed safe recruitment processes. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to hygiene and infection control. Staff were encouraged to learn and make improvements when incidents occurred.

Support was delivered in line with good practice guidance, and staff had the knowledge required to provide effective care. Staff supported people to maintain their physical health and wellbeing and to prepare meals of their choice. People were enabled to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff assisted them in the least restrictive way possible.

People received support from staff who were kind, compassionate and caring. They were involved in making decisions about their care. People’s privacy was respected, and their dignity and independence promoted.

The support people received was personal to them and they were involved in the planning and reviewing of their care. People’s individual choices and preferences were considered, and their support reviewed to reflect their needs. People knew how to raise any concerns or complaints, and these were responded to in a timely manner.

The service was well led, and the management team were clear about their roles and responsibilities. Staff were motivated and enjoyed working at the service. People and staff were encouraged to give feedback, and their views were acted on to develop the service. The provider worked in partnership with other agencies and teams, and there were systems in place to drive ongoing improvements.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.