Background to this inspection
Updated
10 November 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 unannounced inspection took place on 27 and 28 September 2018. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.
Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least annually. This provides us with information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We used this information to assist us with the planning of this inspection. We also looked at other information we held about the service. This included information from statutory notifications the provider sent to us. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to send to us by law such as incidents or allegations of harm.
Prior to our inspection we contacted the local safeguarding authority and commissioners of the service to ask them about their views of the service. These organisations’ views helped us to plan our inspection.
On the 27 September 2018 we visited the service and spoke with four people. We also spoke with a visiting regional manager, a senior support worker and three care staff. On 28 September 2018 we spoke with the registered manager and a health care professional.
We looked at care documentation for three people using the service and their medicines' administration records. We also looked at two staff files, staff training and supervision planning records and other records relating to the management of the service. These included records associated with audit and quality assurance, accidents and incidents, compliments and complaints.
Updated
10 November 2018
This unannounced inspection took place between the 27 and 28 September 2018. At our inspection in March 2016 the service was rated as 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.
Larksfield Transitions Unit - Wisbech is a supported living service. This service provides care and support to people living in one 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.
The service also provides an outreach service to people living in the community. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. It provides a service to, people with a physical disability, people with a learning disability or autism and people living with dementia. Not everyone using Larksfield Transitions Unit - Wisbech receives the regulated activity of personal care. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with personal care, help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.
At the time of our inspection there were eight people using the service.
The service was very caring. People were at the heart of the service and staff cared for them in a compassionate way. Staff used innovative ways to enhance people’s independence as well as respecting people’s right to privacy and dignity. People were supported and encouraged to use advocacy services. Staff were highly motivated and offered care that was exceptionally compassionate. People were involved in deciding how their care was provided and as a result they achieved exceptional outcomes. People were treated with fairness whatever their needs were.
The service was safe. People were safeguarded by staff who knew how to recognise and report any concerns. The provider identified risks to people and managed them well. Sufficient staff were in post and the recruitment process for new staff had helped ensure that only suitable staff were employed. Lessons were learned when things had not gone well and prompt action was taken to keep people safe. Staff administered medicines and managed them safely. Staff helped people to maintain a clean environment.
The service was effective. Staff met people’s needs and had the right training and skills to do this effectively. People had a varied and healthy diet and enough to eat and drink. People were enabled to access health care services. People were given choice and control over their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. The registered manager worked with other organisations such as the local authority who were involved in people’s care to help ensure that when people used the service they received consistent care.
The service was responsive. People received person-centred care that was based on their needs. Staff used mobile phones to record their care visits to help ensure people’s care was provided at the time they wanted. The provider encouraged people to raise concerns if and when they arose. Concerns were responded to effectively and helped to drive improvement. Systems were in place to support people and family members with end of life care.
The service was well-led. The registered manager led by example and ensured the staff had the right skills and values. Staff worked as a team to help people and each other. Procedures were in place that were effective in helping the registered manager to identify and act on improvements when these were needed. People had a say in how the service was run. The registered manager provided support to staff in a positive way. An open and honest staff team culture was in place. The registered manager and staff worked in partnership with others including the local safeguarding team.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.