Archived: London Housing Trust

This inspection took place on 30 August 2018. We were unable to give the service a rating because there was only one person using the service. During the course of the inspection the provider told us the person who used the service [and was in hospital] would not be returning because their health had deteriorated. The provider said they had applied to de-register both the provider and the registered manager with the Care Quality Commission.

The service had a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The registered manager had a good understanding of their legal responsibilities.

We saw that the person who received the care and support from LHT was fully involved with the process. We saw evidence that they had agreed to their care plan as their signature [in agreement to the content] was on the documents we inspected. Staff told us the person’s choices to do with their care plan was respected and staff delivered support in line with the person’s wishes. Staff were able to keep the person safe from identified risks as they kept their care and support under review. Staff told us they encouraged the person to be as independent as possible and helped them develop independent living skills.

From the limited evidence available, we saw staff seemed to be caring towards the people they supported. People were able to express their views and be involved in their care.

The provider had clearly stated values and aims for the service, focussed on people experiencing good quality care and support. They had put systems in place that enabled them to monitor and review the quality of service and to deal with any complaints made by people. The provider worked in partnership with other agencies to develop and improve the delivery of care to people. Records relating to the person, staff and to the management of the service were accurate and up to date.

This is the first comprehensive inspection of the service since registration in January 2015.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People were safe at the service. Staff understood the procedure of reporting concerns of abuse and took action to protect people from harm. We saw positive and friendly interactions between staff and people.

The registered manager assessed risks to people and put plans in place to ensure staff had sufficient guidance to support people safely.

The service operated safe and robust procedures to recruit suitable staff to provide support to people. There were sufficient numbers of staff to support people safely.

Staff sought and received people’s consent before they provided care. Staff supported people in line with the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People who may lack mental capacity received appropriate support to understand and make specific decisions.

Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and supportive. Staff had supervision that helped them identify training needs and improve their practice. Staff received training which enabled them to meet people’s needs. Staff had received specialist training on working with people living with dementia and challenging behaviour.

People said staff were polite and caring. Staff treated people with respect and upheld their dignity and privacy. Staff knew the importance of involving relatives and health and social care professionals in planning of people’s care and support.

Staff supported people to access healthcare services when needed. People received the support they required with their medicines.

People received the support they required to have sufficient healthy food and enough to drink. Staff knew people’s dietary routine and their likes and dislikes. Staff encouraged people to follow advice from healthcare professionals with their nutritional needs and to adopt healthy lifestyle options.

People knew how to make a complaint. There was a complaints procedure as well as an accident and incident reporting. There was an open atmosphere within the service. The management encouraged a culture of learning and staff development.

The registered manager carried out audits to monitor the quality of the service. The service had plans for improving the care and support people received. The registered manager considered their views and used them to improve the service.