Background to this inspection
Updated
22 February 2019
The inspection: 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.
Inspection team: One inspector and an expert by experience carried out this inspection. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type: Livability provides personal care and support to people in their own homes. 22 people were receiving a service at the time of the inspection.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means 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 site visit, because it is small and the manager may have been out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
The inspection site visit activity took place on the 5 February 2019. We visited the office location to meet the registered manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures. We made phone calls to people on the same day.
What we did: We reviewed the information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We assessed the information that providers are required to send to us annually. This gives us key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information and the previous inspection report to plan our inspection.
Before the inspection we sent out questionnaires to some people, so they could share with us their experiences of the service. We spoke with two people, nine relatives, three members of staff, the deputy manager, and the registered manager.
We inspected four care plans, and two staff files. We looked at audits and quality assurance procedures relating to the management of the service, which had been developed and implemented by the provider.
Updated
22 February 2019
About the service: This service provides care and support to people 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.
People’s experience of using this service:
People continued to receive safe care. People received support from consistent staff who turned up on time. Risk assessments covered all areas of risk, and staff knew how to keep people safe from harm. People told us they were safe. Staff had received training in infection control and had access to personal protective equipment. People told us they received their medicines as prescribed. We have made a recommendation about medicine management.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
People continued to receive effective care, from staff who were skilled and competent in meeting people’s individual needs. People told us they were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and that staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Staff supported people to maintain a healthy diet, in line with their assessed needs and to access health care if this was needed.
People received care from staff who were kind and compassionate. People had positive relationships with their care workers and were confident in the service. People were supported and encouraged by staff to make decisions as to how their needs were met. Staff understood the importance of respecting people’s privacy, dignity and independence.
Staff continued to support people in a responsive way. Assessments and support plans were in place identifying what was important to people and how they should be supported. The support people received was centred around them and they were involved in any decisions made. The provider had a complaint process which people were aware of to share any concerns. The service needed to develop their approach around end of life care. We have made a recommendation about end of life care.
The service continued to be well managed. The registered manager was approachable and people knew them well. Spot checks and audits were completed to ensure the quality of the service was maintained. There was a strong value base to ensure that workers were caring and compassionate. People, and their family members, were actively encouraged to provide feedback on the service and staff worked well as a team in an open and supportive manner. Everyone spoke positively about the service and the quality of the support being provided.
The service met the characteristics of Good in all areas; more information is in the full report,
Rating at last inspection: This service was last rated Good (30 May 2016)
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive, and inspect if risk is indicated.