Archived: Choice Support Bow

Choice Support (Bow) offered services to ten people living at five different shared houses. We visited one house shared by two people although one of these people was away at the time of our visit. The person who we visited was unable to verbally give us their views. The interactions that we observed between staff and this person showed that choice and involvement was encouraged. Two care staff who spoke with us were clear about what was expected of them. We also looked at how the service gathered people's views and found that they included people as a part of the monitoring of the quality of the service provided.

Personal care plans and risk assessments were written in a way that placed the person at the centre of this process, which was positive practise.

Best interest decision making procedures were used. These described the decisions that people could make independently and where mental capacity applications needed to be made.

We saw records of staff supervision which showed that care staff were offered regular opportunities to discuss their work and professional development with their manager.

We checked care plans for four people who use the service and found these included complete information about each person's needs. Riask assessments were also in place. For example, one person liked to go for drives in their car assisted with their carer. Risk assessments were in place and these covered areas such as moving and handling, wheelchair and managing behaviour. Each person had a support plan and staff reviewed these regularly.

People who use the service told us they were treated with dignity and respect. One person told us regarding the carers, 'they read through file for likes and dislikes.'

Care and treatment was planned and delivered in-line with individual needs.

An effective recruitment procedure was in place which included relevant checks when they employ staff.