We carried out a review of the data available to us about Spencer & Arlington on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Spencer & Arlington, you can give feedback on this service.
Spencer and Arlington provide personal care to people in their own home. The service supports some people on a 24-hour basis and others who may require support with personal care needs at specific times during the day and/or night. Some people using the service lived in supported living houses. The facilities are shared, in mixed housing for groups of up to four people. The service was supporting 71 people with personal care at the time of our inspection.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Without exception, people were positive about the service. One relative said, “I am very, very happy. I would recommend it most definitely. I can contact them anytime. I know [Name] is safe and well looked after.”
People received their medicine correctly, and staff had been trained. Medication audits and spot checks were carried out. Systems and processes were in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse. Staff knew how to prevent the spread of infection.
Assessments were in place which detailed people’s needs and choices. Staff had been trained and were given regular supervision. People were supported to eat and drink in line with their assessed needs. Staff worked with other agencies to supply consistent, effective, timely care. People were supported to live healthier lives and could access healthcare services when they needed to. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were kind, caring and compassionate and supported people to maintain their relationships with friends and relatives. People were supported to avoid social isolation. Staff could clearly explain how they supported people in a dignified and respectful way.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence, and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
Care was personalised and ensured people had choice and control which met their individual needs and preferences. The service considered how they could meet people’s communication needs, and information was available to them in different formats. The provider had a complaints procedure in place, and people knew how to complain if they needed to. At the time of the inspection, people using the service were vibrant and did not always want to consider end of life care. We have made a recommendation about end of life care.
The service had a well-defined management structure; roles had been defined. Audits were in place people were encouraged to give their feedback about the service. This information was used to look at how the service could be improved. Regular surveys were carried out with a range of people, relatives, staff, and professionals. Information was used to make improvements to the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection (and update) The last rating for this service was Good (12 December 2016)
Why we inspected This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
Follow up We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.
A registered manager was 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.
People and their relatives felt confident that people were safe when receiving care in their own homes. Staff knew how to identify potential abuse and report concerns. Potential risks to people’s health and well-being were identified, reviewed and managed effectively to support people safely. Staff recruitment processes were thorough to ensure staff employed at the service were suitable and able to work with vulnerable people. There were sufficient numbers of familiar staff available to meet people’s individual needs. People were supported to take their medicines safely.
People received their care from a well supported staff team that had a clear understanding of people's care needs and the skills and knowledge to meet them. The registered manager and staff understood the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and demonstrated how to apply the principles of this legislation to their everyday practice. Staff obtained people’s consent before providing any support and respected people’s right to make their own decisions. People were supported to maintain good healthcare and they were supported to access health care professionals when necessary. People were provided with appropriate levels of support to help them choose a diet that met their individual needs, preferences and well-being.
People and their relatives were fully involved in the assessment and planning of people’s care. Care records included people’s preferences and individual needs so that staff had clear information on how to give people the support that they needed. People’s dignity and privacy was respected and people were encouraged to develop new skills and levels of independence. People
found the staff to be reliable, friendly and caring. People’s relationships with others were encouraged and valued.
Staff understood people’s needs and provided care and support accordingly. People were provided with care based on their individual needs in a person centred way. People were supported to participate in a range of social activities and occupation, including community based outings. An effective system was in place to respond to people’s complaints and concerns.
People and staff knew the registered manager, care manager and office staff and found them to be approachable and available. Systems were in place to monitor and assess the quality of the service people received. People had the opportunity to say how they felt about the service provided and influence changes and improvements.