HF Trust - Sheffield & Derbyshire DCA

Updated 1 April 2020

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in 21 ‘supported living’ settings, 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 managers registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means 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 notice of the inspection. This was because we needed to be sure a registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

Inspection activity started on 23 January and ended on 28 January 2020. We also visited the office location on these dates.

What we did before the inspection

We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with nine people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with the registered manager who was also the acting operations manager, the regional manager, a cluster manager, a senior support worker and six support workers.

During the inspection we looked at two people's support plans in detail which included a range of support plans and risk assessments. We reviewed a range of documents relating to how the service was managed including; three staff personnel files, staff training records, policies, procedures and quality assurance audits.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found in relation to end of life planning, monthly audits and people engagement.

Updated 1 April 2020

About the service

HF Trust – Sheffield & Derbyshire DCA is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care to people living within single occupancy and shared tenancy accommodation. It provides a service to people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of our inspection the service was providing personal care to 54 people.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. 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 is appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

People told us “nothing could improve” and “they loved being at HFT [the service].” Relatives told us the staff team “always listen”, “were excellent” and “they had peace of mind.” People’s lives were greatly enhanced by innovative and creative person-centred support that maximised their opportunities for self-development and growth. Staff were passionate about maintaining people’s independence and this was at the core of everything the service did. Staff really cared about making a difference to the people they supported so they could lead the best lives possible.

People were supported and encouraged to lead fulfilling, active lives and to be active citizens within the local and wider community. This had led to people’s aspirations and dreams being realised. Needs were considered and reviewed, and staff responded quickly to any change in need. People and their relatives told us they were fully involved in planning and reviewing their care and had a full say in how their care was delivered

The service had a proven track record of providing exceptional care and specialist support. This was achieved through partnership working with other health specialists including positive behaviour support specialists. Great emphasis was placed on analysing and using data to understand people’s behaviours that maybe challenging and communication needs.

The service had a comprehensive understanding of how to keep people safe, and staff delivered safe care, ensuring the safety and welfare of the people they supported. Risks associated with people’s care were assessed and monitored, and any environmental risks were identified, reviewed and well managed.

The service was extremely well led by the registered manager and regional manager who were dedicated to providing a service which was responsive to people’s need. The managers recognised the importance of creating and maintaining community links, encouraging independence and supporting people to meet their own needs where possible.

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. The provider was working within the principles of the MCA.

The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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 5 November 2015)]. There was also an inspection on 28 December 2017 however, the report following that inspection was withdrawn as there was an issue with some of the information we had gathered.

Why we inspected

This is a planned re-inspection because of the issue highlighted above.

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.