15 December 2017
During a routine inspection
Options Dorset provides care and support to eleven people with learning and or physical disabilities or autism living in 10 ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live in their own home 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's office is based in Poole and provides support to people in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.
The registered manager has been registered with CQC since September 2016. 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.
This was the first inspection of the service since a change in the legal entity of the provider.
The people we visited had complex communication needs and were not able to verbally tell us about their experiences. We saw and a relative told us staff were very caring and compassionate. Staff spoke to and supported people in ways which showed they valued and cared about them.
People’s medicines were managed safely and any risks to people were identified and managed in order to keep people safe.
People received care and support in a personalised way. People’s needs were assessed and planned for. Staff knew people well and understood their needs and the way they communicated. We found that people received the health, personal and social care support they needed. People were supported to pursue activities and interests that were important to them.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. Staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 20015 and making any decisions in people’s best interests.
There was an accessible complaints procedure in place. Complaints were investigated in line with the provider’s policy.
Staff were recruited safely and there were enough staff to make sure people had the care and support they needed. Staff were trained and had they opportunity for personal and professional development. Staff told us they were supported by managers at the service.
The culture within the service was personalised and open. There was a clear management structure and staff felt well supported and listened to. There were systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service provided.