Buntingford

Updated 19 October 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.

This inspection took place on 11 September 2018 and was carried out by one Inspector. The inspection was unannounced.

Before our inspection we reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications relating to the service. Statutory notifications include information about important events which the provider is required to send us. Due to technical problems we were not able to review the Provider Information Return sent to us before the inspection. 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 saw evidence that the provider submitted this and we reviewed this after the inspection.

During the inspection we spoke with three people who used the service and three staff members. We also talked to the registered manager.

We reviewed two people’s support plans and risk assessments. We also looked at range of other relevant documents relating to how the service operated including meeting minutes, medicine administration records and various audits carried out by the registered manager.

We observed staff interaction with people who used the service to see if people were treated in a kind, caring and compassionate way.

Updated 19 October 2018

The inspection took place on 11 September 2018 and was unannounced. Buntingford is a supported living service for up to four people who live with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of our inspection three people were using the service.

This service provides care and support to people living 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.

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support an overall 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 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.

There were systems and processes in place to protect people from the risk of harm. People and staff were knowledgeable about how to report their concerns and how to keep safe from harm. Employment processes were robust and ensured that staff working at the service were suitable to carry out their roles.

Staff received training and felt supported to deliver care and support to people in a safe and effective way. People`s medicines were managed safely by trained staff.

People told us staff were kind and caring and their dignity was protected. People had been involved in planning and reviewing their care and support by staff who used pictorial documents where it was needed to aid people`s understanding. The registered manager identified that the way people were given information could be further improved and they were working to develop this area.

Care plan were personalised and descriptive of how people liked to be supported by staff. People`s independence was promoted and staff encouraged people to express their choices and live the life they wanted.

People had been enabled to pursue their hobbies and interest. They were involved in planning their activities and the registered manager was working to further develop and broaden the opportunities people had in regard to going on holidays and other activities.

People were supported to access health services including their GP, dental appointments and other healthcare professionals as required. People`s feedback on the service was encouraged through regular meetings and surveys.

The provider`s governance systems were used effectively by the registered manager to identify where improvements were needed. Actions from audits were completed promptly in most cases, however we saw that on occasions there was a delay in completing actions.