Background to this inspection
Updated
12 January 2019
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 5 December 2018 and was announced. One adult social care inspector carried out the inspection. We visited the provider’s office to speak with the registered manager, and to review care records, policies and procedures. We also visited the home where the three people who used the service were supported.
People who used the service had complex needs which limited their verbal communication. This meant they could not always tell us their views, so we carried out observations and received feedback from four family members by telephone and email. In addition to the registered manager, we also spoke with the deputy manager and three care staff. We looked at the care records of the three people who used the service and the personnel files for three members of staff.
Before we visited the service we checked the information we held about this location and the service provider, for example, inspection history, statutory notifications and complaints. A notification is information about important events which the service is required to send to CQC by law. We contacted professionals involved in caring for people who used the service, including commissioners and safeguarding staff. We also contacted Healthwatch. Healthwatch is the local consumer champion for health and social care services. They give consumers a voice by collecting their views, concerns and compliments through their engagement work. Information provided by these professionals was used to inform the inspection.
We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. 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.
Updated
12 January 2019
This inspection took place on 5 December 2018 and was announced. This was to ensure someone would be available to speak with and show us records.
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. On the day of the inspection there were three people receiving the regulated activity personal care.
The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with CQC to manage the service. Like 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 this service since it became registered with CQC in December 2017.
Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and investigated. Risk assessments were in place for people who used the service and described potential risks and the safeguards in place to mitigate these risks. The registered manager understood their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding and staff had been trained in safeguarding vulnerable adults.
Medicines were stored safely and securely, and procedures were in place to ensure people received medicines as prescribed.
Appropriate health and safety checks had been carried out to ensure people lived in a safe environment.
Staffing levels were appropriate although agency staff were occasionally used to cover absences or vacancies. The provider had an effective recruitment and selection procedure in place and carried out relevant vetting checks when they employed staff. Staff were supported in their role via appropriate training and regular supervisions.
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.
People were protected from the risk of poor nutrition and staff were aware of people’s nutritional needs. Care records contained evidence of people being supported during visits to and from external health care specialists.
Family members were complimentary about the standard of care provided by the service. Staff treated people with dignity and respect and helped to maintain people’s independence by encouraging them to care for themselves where possible.
Care records showed that people’s needs were assessed before they started using the service and support plans were written in a person-centred way. Person-centred means ensuring the person is at the centre of any care or support and their individual wishes, needs and choices were considered.
Activities were arranged for people who used the service based on their likes and interests, and to help meet their social needs. The service had good links with the local community.
Family members were aware of how to make a complaint and the provider had an effective quality assurance process in place.