Background to this inspection
Updated
2 February 2023
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
The inspection team consisted of 1 inspector
Service and Service Type
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.
Registered Manager
This provider is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Registered managers and providers are legally responsible for how the service is run, for the quality and safety of the care provided and compliance with regulations.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of Inspection
We gave the service 1 hour notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us annually with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with 1 person who used the service and 2 relatives. We spoke with 3 staff including the registered manager and 2 care staff. We spoke with the nominated individual who is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider. We looked at a range of management records including medicines, quality audits and staff recruitment. We reviewed 6 people’s care records including risk assessments and 4 staff recruitment records. After the site visit, we continued to liaise with the service. The registered manager sent us documentation we asked for and clarified any queries we had.
Updated
2 February 2023
About the service
Step Ahead Care Services is a supported living service providing personal care to people living with a learning disability or autism. At the time of this inspection there were two people using the service living in one house sharing a bathroom, kitchen, lounge and garden.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We have made a recommendation about meeting the sensory and physical needs of people using the service.
Right Support:
The model of care and the setting maximised people’s choice, control and independence. People had their own bedroom and shared the facilities. Care and support was provided in a safe, clean and well-maintained environment. Staff supported people to achieve their goals and aspirations. People were encouraged to make choices and decisions in accordance with their level of understanding.
People were supported by enough appropriately skilled staff to meet their needs and keep them safe. People’s risks were assessed in a person-centred way. Care plans and risk assessments were regularly reviewed and involved relatives as appropriate. People who may become anxious or distressed had proactive plans in place to reduce the need for restrictive practices.
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.
Right Care:
Care was person-centred and promoted people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. People were protected from abuse and poor care. Staff demonstrated they provided kind and compassionate care to people. Relatives confirmed they were included in decision making about their relative’s care. People were supported to maintain their privacy, dignity and independence by a staff team who knew them well.
People had their communication needs met. Staff confirmed they could meet people’s cultural and spiritual needs. People were supported to maintain links with their family. Staff engaged people in activities in accordance with their individual care plans.
Right Culture:
The registered manager had an open door policy and relatives and staff spoke positively about them. Relatives and staff confirmed they would be able to raise concerns to enable improvements to be made to the service.
The provider ensured staff had relevant training, supervision and appraisal. Governance systems ensured people were kept safe and received care support in line with their personal needs. Relatives were asked by the provider about their opinions of the service. Staff worked with healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for people.
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 July 2021 and this is the first inspection. The last rating for the service at the previous premises was good, published on 28 April 2021.
Why we inspected
This inspection was prompted due to concerns received about staffing and management. We carried out a review of the information we held about this service and noted there had been a change in the location address. A decision was made for us to inspect and examine those risks.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.