Archived: Larkstone Supported Living Limited

Updated 24 February 2017

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 14, 16 December and 6 January 2017. The first day was unannounced. We gave notice of our intention to return on the other days as we wanted the registered manager to check that people who used the service would be happy to talk with us. We also wanted to ensure care workers would be available to speak with. The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the service and notifications we had received. Notifications are forms completed by the organisation about certain events which affect people in their care. Following the inspection we requested information from the registered person to tell us about the service they provided. We also reviewed the service’s Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

We spoke with five people about their views of receiving a service from Larkstone, which also included visiting four people to look at their care plans and daily notes. We also spoke with the parent of one person who used the service. We reviewed information at the registered office. This included complaints and compliments, we checked three staff recruitment and training files and looked at a range of other documents which helped us understand how well the service was being monitored and run We spoke with a director, administrator, registered manager and six care staff. We asked for feedback from six health and social care professionals and received information back from three.

Updated 24 February 2017

This inspection took place on the 14 December with an unannounced visit to the registered office. We then completed two further visits to people using the service, which were announced. These occurred on 16 December 2016 and 6 January 2017.

Larkstone supported living service provides personal care to people in their own homes and covers two main geographical areas; Ilfracombe and Bideford. People using this service either have a learning disability or a mental health issue and require assistance with activities of daily living to ensure their safety and well-being.

There was a registered manager in post, who has been working at the service for just over 12 months. 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.

Care and support was well planned and delivered by a staff team who understood the needs and wishes of people who received a service. Staff showed a good understanding of how to support people in the least restrictive way, promoting their dignity and ensuring their human rights were protected.

Staff knew what mattered to people and were therefore able to offer personalised care and support to suit people’s needs, wishes and preferences. People were actively involved in the development and reviewing of the care plan, where possible. Usually care was well planned, although we did receive feedback from one healthcare professional to say one person they had reviewed, did not have a care plan and their risk assessment was in need of updating. The provider said there was a care plan but this had needed to be updated, which had now been completed. The impact on the individual was minimal as the care workers knew the person well and knew how to support them safely and effectively.

People were protected from the risk of potential abuse as staff understood what to do to minimise risks, report any concerns and work in a way which promoted people’s independence whilst being mindful of their vulnerability.

Recruitment processes ensured new staff employed were suitable to work with vulnerable people. There was a comprehensive induction programme which followed national standards.

Staff had training, support and supervisions to help them develop their role and skills. Staff felt valued and said they had good opportunities to gain further skills and qualifications.

People, staff and relatives of people using the service had confidence in the management approach. There were a variety of ways the service sough their opinions and actioned any concerns or complaints.

People were supported to maintain their health, be encouraged to eat a healthy diet and receive their medicines at the right time.

People’s rights were protected because staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and when needed were able to support people to make best interest decisions, including the involvement of independent advocates.