Turning Point - Timberlea (Dom Care)

Updated 13 November 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

This inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Turning Point - Timberlea (Dom Care) is a service which provides care and support to people living in two ‘supported living’ settings so that people 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 the Care Quality Commission. However, at the time of this inspection, the registered manager was not at work and the service had an interim manager in place to manage and oversee the service. The inspection report will therefore refer to the 'manager' throughout and not the registered manager.

Notice of inspection

This inspection was unannounced. Inspection activity commenced on 18 July 2019 and ended on 2 October 2019.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from a professional who work with the service. 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 four people who used the service about their experience of the care and support provided by staff. We spoke with seven staff including the manager, a senior representative from the provider and care staff.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and five medicine records. We looked at a variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, audits and surveys.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence we found. We looked at further training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 13 November 2019

About the service

Turning Point - Timberlea (Dom Care) provides personal care to 12 adults with learning disability and mental health needs in a supported living environment. At the time of the inspection, the service was supporting ten people.

The service has been developed and designed in line with most of 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.

The service was a large home, bigger than most domestic style properties. It was registered for the support of up to 12 people. Ten people were using the service. This is larger than current best practice guidance. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was mitigated by the building design fitting into the residential area and the other large domestic homes of a similar size.

People's experience of using this service

We received positive feedback about the service and the care people received. People and professionals commented positively about the effectiveness and responsiveness of the support people received. There was evidence that people achieved good care outcomes and their comments about the service supported this.

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.

Systems to ensure people were safeguarded from harm were effective. People were supported by staff who had been trained to identify and report concerns. People were safe because potential risks to their health and wellbeing had been mitigated and were being managed effectively.

Safe and effective recruitment practices were followed and there were sufficient numbers of suitable staff available at all times to meet people’s individual care and support needs. Information from incidents was used to good effect in reducing identified risks and keeping people safe. People were supported to take their medicines. Staff followed effective processes to prevent the spread of infections.

The registered manager was not at work during our inspection. This post was being temporarily covered by a manager from another service. We found the manager and staff worked hard to ensure people received effective care to meet their needs. People were supported by staff who had completed the provider's mandatory training and additional training in relevant areas. Staff practice was supported by recognised good practice guidelines. People achieved good care outcomes as a result of the support provided by the service.

Staff had respectful, caring and friendly relationships with people they supported. Staff upheld people's dignity and privacy, and they promoted their independence. People received personalised care and support which met their needs and reflected their

preferences.

There was a positive and open culture. Staff roles and responsibilities were clear, and staff were supported through regular supervision from the manager. The provider’s quality monitoring processes were effective and evidenced how they continually improve the service.

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 19 October 2016).

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.