21 December 2017
During a routine inspection
This service provides care and support to 22 people living in six ‘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 care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
There was no 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. However two managers were jointly responsible for the management of the service and one of these managers had submitted their application to register.
People were supported by staff who knew how to report concerns of abuse and had the knowledge to manage risks and keep them safe. There were sufficient numbers of staff available to support people and staff had been recruited safely. Medication records evidenced that medications had been given in a safe way.
Assessments completed took into account people’s needs under the equality act. People’s rights were upheld as they were supported by staff who understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act. Staff received training and support in order to support people effectively and people were supported to access healthcare services where required.
People were supported by staff who were kind and caring. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. People had support with their communication needs and felt involved in decisions about their care. People were supported to maintain their independence where possible.
People were involved in the planning and review of their care. The provider was responsive in making changing to people’s planned care to ensure that people’s needs could be met. People knew how to make complaints and there was a system in place to investigate any complaints made.
Systems in place to monitor the quality of the service had not been completed consistently and areas for improvement had not always been acted upon in a timely way. People spoke positively about the management of the service and had been supported to provide feedback on their experiences.