NAS Community Services (Leicester)

Updated 19 April 2018

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 comprehensive inspection of NAS Community Services (East Midlands) took place on 25 and 26 January 2018. It included visiting two people’s home addresses after they said they were happy for us to do this. We visited the office location on 26 January 2018 to see the manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures. We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because it is small and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in. The inspection was undertaken by one inspector.

Before the inspection, the registered provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the registered provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The PIR was received in a timely way and was completed fully. We looked at notifications sent in to us by the registered provider, which gave us information about how incidents and accidents were managed. We also contacted the local Healthwatch for their views of the service and they did not have any concerns.

During our inspection, we visited the office to look at records and talk with the registered provider. We met two people who used the service and spoke with two relatives by telephone. In addition, we spoke with the registered manager, a team leader, a senior support worker and four support staff.

We looked at the care records for two people who used the service. We also looked at other records relating to the management and running of the service. These included four staff recruitment files, induction and training records, supervisions and appraisals, the employee handbook, the statement of purpose, quality assurance audits and complaints records.

Updated 19 April 2018

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own homes. It provides a service to people with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. At the time of our inspection, this service supported 3 people with a range of social care needs.

At the last inspection in December 2015, this service was rated overall good. At this inspection, we found the service remained good.

A registered manager was in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) 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

People appeared to feel comfortable and safe with the staff team who provided their support. Relatives agreed their relatives were usually safe with the staff team who supported them.

Training on the safeguarding of adults had been completed and the staff team were aware of their responsibilities for keeping people safe from avoidable harm. The registered manager understood their responsibilities for keeping people safe and knew to refer any concerns on to the local authority and Care Quality Commission (CQC).

People's support needs had been identified and risks associated with people's care had been assessed and monitored. There were arrangements in place to make sure action was taken and lessons learned when things went wrong, to improve safety across the service.

Staff recruitment procedures ensured appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out to ensure only suitable staff worked at the service. Adequate staffing levels were in place.

Staff induction and on-going training was provided to ensure they had the skills, knowledge and support they needed to perform their roles. Staff were well supported by the registered manager and team leader and had regular one to one supervisions.

People were protected by the prevention and control of infection. The staff team had received training in infection control and understood their responsibilities around this.

People received their medicines as prescribed and staff supported people to access support from healthcare professionals when required. The service worked with other organisations to ensure that people received coordinated and person-centred care and support.

Staff demonstrated their understanding of the Mental Capacity Act, 2005 (MCA) and they gained people's consent before providing support.

People were involved in planning how their support would be provided and staff took time to understand people’s needs and preferences. Support documentation provided staff with guidance regarding the support people needed to maintain their independence. Staff treated people with kindness, dignity and respect and spent time getting to know them and their specific needs and wishes.

People, relatives and staff were encouraged to provide feedback about the service and it was used to drive continuous improvement. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and had a process in place, which ensured people could raise any complaints or concerns.

People knew what to do if they had a concern, complaints were investigated, and lessons learnt to reduce future concerns.

The service notified the Care Quality Commission of certain events and incidents, as required.