Background to this inspection
Updated
5 February 2020
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an expert by experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service
The service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ settings 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.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced on the first day.
Inspection activity started on 10 December 2019 and ended on 18 December 2019. We visited the office location on both dates.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since registration. We sought feedback from the local authority, professionals who work with the service and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the support provided. We spoke with two support workers, the deputy manager, the operations manager and the governance lead. We spoke with several more staff and one relative by telephone.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We reviewed the additional information sent to us by the service.
Updated
5 February 2020
About the service
Carlton Supported Living is a domiciliary care agency. The service provides personal care and support to people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders, older people and young adults living in their own homes and flats. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care.' This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of the inspection six people were receiving support with personal care.
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 is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
There were enough staff to meet people’s support needs. Safe recruitment procedures were followed. We recommended the provider review the way they provided induction training to new staff to ensure people’s confidentiality was not compromised.
The service was safe. Staff knew how to recognise and report any concerns about people’s safety and welfare. People who used the service were provided with information about how to keep themselves safe both at home and in the community.
Risks to people’s safety and welfare were identified and managed. People’s medicines were managed safely. People were supported by staff who had received training relevant to their roles.
People were supported to meet their dietary needs and to access healthcare support where needed.
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.
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.
People were supported by staff who were kind and caring and knew them well. People were supported to take part in activities which reflected their interests and provided opportunities to develop relationships with their peers. People were supported to maintain relationships with family and friends.
People were given information in a format suitable to their needs. Complaints were taken seriously and where necessary changes were made to improve people’s experiences.
The provider had systems in place to monitor the safety and quality of the service. The provider was committed to the continuous improvement of the service and there was an improvement action plan in place to support this. People were given the opportunity to share their views and suggestions for improving 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
This service was registered with us on 21 December 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.
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.