MacIntyre Welsh Marches

Updated 27 July 2019

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

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in 11 ‘supported living’ houses, 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 had a manager registered with CQC. 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

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This gave the registered manager time to make arrangements with people and relatives for the inspector to carry out home visits. They also arranged for the inspector to speak with staff.

Inspection activity started on 24 June 2019 and ended on 25 June 2019. We visited the office location and people’s homes on both dates.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection we reviewed information available to us about this service. This included details about incidents the provider must notify us about, such as abuse. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do 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

We spoke with four people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, two front-line managers and four care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records including medication administration 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 continued to seek clarification from the provider about the evidence we found. We received written feedback from a health care professional and from a relative, which has been included in the report.

Updated 27 July 2019

About the service

MacIntyre Welsh Marches is a supported living service providing personal care to people with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder living in their own home. At the time of our inspection there were 21 people receiving this type of care and support, living within 11 separate houses.

Between two and four people lived in each house. Each person had their own bedroom and shared the kitchen and living space with their housemates.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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 was appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Everybody felt they received an excellent service. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support. Communication within the service was excellent at all levels and encouraged mutual respect between staff and people. People received exceptionally responsive care. Staff worked with people and relatives to find out people’s interests and needs so they could provide person-centred care. Staff developed people's daily living skills to boost their confidence and supported them where possible towards independent living.

There was a truly holistic approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and support. People’s wishes and choices were recognised and valued. They received excellent support to achieve a full and satisfying way of life. People were at the heart of the service, which was organised to suit their individual needs and aspirations.

We received positive feedback from partner agencies about the management of the service and the dedication of the staff. The registered manager demonstrated a strong and supportive leadership style, seeking feedback to further improve the care and support provided. The registered manager and staff team used innovative, but safe practices to develop people's independence and create a vibrant, happy and thriving community. The values of the organisation of offering choice, inclusion and respect were embedded. This supported people to receive the positive service described.

Staff were well trained and skilled. They worked with people to overcome challenges and promote their independence in every area of their life. Staff encouraged positive risk taking so people could experience new things and develop. This had led to people feeling fulfilled and living an active life.

Feedback from health and social care professionals was positive about the support given by staff. They said staff were proactive in managing people's behaviours and needs.

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.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 10 December 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.