Background to this inspection
Updated
23 July 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
Inspection team
Two inspectors carried out the inspection.
Service and service type
The service had 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 announced. We gave a short period notice of the inspection because some of the people using it could not consent to a home visit from an inspector. This meant that we had to arrange for a ‘best interests’ decision about this. We also needed to be sure that the registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection
Inspection activity started on 28 June 2022 and ended on 11 July 2022. We visited the office location on 4 July 2022.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give us some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
This information helps support our inspections. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
Due to the specific needs of the people, we were unable to visit them in their home. As people were unable to talk to us, we had phone contact with two relatives for feedback about the care their family members received.
We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and one member of staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and three medication records. We looked at four 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 continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with one professional who regularly visits the service.
Updated
23 July 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
The service provides care and support to two people living in a supported living setting, so that they can live as independently as possible. Peoples care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at personal care and support. Support is primarily provided to people with learning disabilities and autistic people. People live in a shared house.
The service is also a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to one person in their own flat at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.
Right Support
The staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence and they had control over their own lives.
Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. People were supported by staff to pursue their interests.
Staff enabled people to access specialist health and social care support in the community.
Staff supported people with their medicines in a way that promoted their independence and achieved the best possible health outcome.
Right Care
Staff spoke respectfully about people and treated them with compassion. Staff respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to people’s individual’s needs.
Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it.
People who had individual ways of communicating, using body language, sounds, Makaton (a form of sign language), pictures and symbols could interact comfortably with staff and others involved in their treatment/care and support because staff had the necessary skills to understand them.
People’s care, treatment and support plans reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life.
People could take part in activities and pursue interests that were tailored to them. The service gave people opportunities to try new activities that enhanced and enriched their lives.
Staff and people cooperated to assess risks people might face. Where appropriate, staff encouraged and enabled people to take positive risks.
Right culture
People received good quality care, support and treatment because trained staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes.
People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs.
Staff knew and understood people well and were responsive, supporting their aspirations to live a quality life of their choosing.
Staff evaluated the quality of support provided to people, involving the person, their families and other professionals as appropriate.
The service enabled people and those important to them to work with staff to develop the service. Staff valued and acted upon people’s views.
Staff ensured risks of a closed culture were minimised so that people received support based on transparency, respect and inclusivity.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us on 23 November 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support, right care and right culture.
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.