FitzRoy Supported Living - Uckfield

On this page

• Overview
• Assessing needs
• Delivering evidence-based care and treatment
• How staff, teams and services work together
• Supporting people to live healthier lives
• Monitoring and improving outcomes
• Consent to care and treatment

Effective – this means we looked for evidence that people’s care, treatment and support achieved good outcomes and promoted a good quality of life, based on best available evidence. At our last assessment we rated this key question Good. At this assessment the rating has remained Good.

This meant people’s outcomes were consistently good, and people’s feedback confirmed this.

This service scored 75 (out of 100) for this area. Find out what we look at when we assess this area and How we calculate these scores.

The provider made sure people’s care and treatment was effective by assessing and reviewing their health, care, wellbeing and communication needs with them.

Before people moved in to the accommodation and a service provision was agreed, a full assessment was completed. This took a number of weeks and ensured an opportunity for any new person to visit the spend time with people, staff and be involved in this decision. The visits also allow for an assessment to be completed in new accommodation ensuring any assessed needs can be met and any adjustments to the environment are taken into account.

The provider planned and delivered people’s care and treatment with them, including what was important and mattered to them. They did this in line with legislation and current evidence-based good practice and standards.

Staff got to know and understand people and their individual needs very well. Any changes in health and welfare were picked up quickly, discussed with the staff team and action taken to address. For example, If people’s weights were changing staff suggested further weighing to monitor any increases or loss of weight.

People’s nutritional needs and status were assessed using a recognised tool. People were supported to choose food and drinks that were healthy and met their nutritional and dietary requirements. For those people who would benefit from losing weight, discussions were held with staff around how best to change and modify diets without missing out on treats and enjoyed favourites. Advice was sought from professionals when needed on diets to follow. One person talked about being on a ‘diet’ and said she was involved in all menu planning. A relative said, “X has put weight on which is not good for them, they are supporting them to lose weight, they are on a special diet and the staff work with them, they are allowed a treat like an easer egg at Easter.”

The provider worked well across teams and services to support people. They made sure people only needed to tell their story once by sharing their assessment of needs when people moved between different services.

Visiting professionals were positive about their working relationship with staff and told us staff were available and knowledge about people and their individual needs. One said, “Staff were easy to get hold of when arranging the review. On arrival, I rang the doorbell and they responded immediately. The registered manager and deputy manager were present.”

Another said, “Staff have been open to the Multi-Disciplinary Team input when needed and have always been open and willing to try suggestions put forwards.”

Staff confirmed they worked well with local health and social care professionals. One staff member said, “We have had the same GP for a long time and are lucky to have them, he knows people here inside out and pops in at any time in between regular heath reviews.”

The provider supported people to manage their health and wellbeing to maximise their independence, choice and control. Staff supported people to live healthier lives and where possible, reduce their future needs for care and support.

Feedback from visiting health care professionals was very positive about how staff worked to improve and maintain people’s health. One said, “Communication is good between the service and our surgery, and health concerns are escalated appropriately. The deputy manager is really helpful, and medical advice is always acted on appropriately. They take time with residents, for example spending time talking with residents with anxiety, or encouraging healthy eating.”

A relative reflected on how staff had supported a person with a health issue that had impacted negatively on their quality of life. This had included the provision of breathing equipment that was managed by staff and required additional training to handle. This had enabled them to benefit from improved health and therefore an improved quality of life.

The provider routinely monitored people’s care and treatment to continuously improve it. They ensured that outcomes were positive and consistent, and that they met both clinical expectations and the expectations of people themselves.

Feedback received from visiting professionals was positive and demonstrated regular review and monitoring of people’s health and well-being, and a consistent approach in following a support/care plan. A professional told us, “Staff are always willing to ask for help if needed, which allows for prompt input when needed to stop a situation from escalating. The deputy manager ensures all key information is taken and filtered down to all staff to ensure effective care. They also always advocated for the patients (people) and ensured our care plans reflect patient’s (people’s) wishes.”

A relative told us, “They are spot on with their medical issues. They spot any issues, and they get to the bottom of things -They contact the GP quickly. They have arranged for [person]to get admitted to the local hospital when needed.”

The provider told people about their rights around consent and respected these when delivering person-centred care and treatment.

From observations and discussion with people and staff it was clear that people were encouraged and supported to make choices and make their own decisions and these were respected. Staff were constantly explaining things and asking people for their own views. For example, during conversations with a person a staff member supporting them asked for agreement and consent to talk about certain subjects.

A visiting professional reflected on how people’s choices were respected whilst promoting safe eating and swallowing. “I found the staff to be attentive to the residents' needs regarding their choices around eating and drinking - advocating for residents and supporting people in making safe choices, as they have capacity, while respecting their choice”.

When people lacked the capacity to make decisions staff had followed the principles of the mental capacity act to ensure decisions were made with those closest to them, were the least restrictive and in their best interest. Some records relating to best interest meetings were not available. This had been picked up through an internal audit and the registered manager was in the process of locating these and transferring on to the computer system.

Staff had undertaken the mental capacity act training to ensure that they understood the importance of obtaining consent before they delivered any care or support.