During an assessment under our new approach
Affinity trust specialist division south is a supported living service providing support to adults of all ages living with mental health conditions, people who have a learning disabilities and autistic people. The assessment was undertaken of a specialist service that is registered for use by autistic people or people with a learning disability. We assessed the care provision under Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture, as it is registered as a specialist service for this population group.
We made judgements about whether the provider guaranteed people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. We found people received care in accordance with this guidance and care workers and staff had received appropriate training relating to people with a learning disability and autistic people. Not everyone who used the service received the regulated activity personal care. CQC only assesses 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. At the time of our assessment there were 6 people receiving the regulated activity of personal care.
The provider was previously in breach of the legal regulation in relation to risks to the safety and welfare of people. Improvements were found at this assessment, and the provider was no longer in breach of this regulation.
Effective systems were in place to report and investigate incidents, accidents, safeguarding and complaints. Actions were taken and lessons learnt were shared with staff to help prevent further occurrences. Further development was needed to ensure improvement becomes part of everyday practice rather than something that happens in response to problems or incidents. People’s care and support requirements and associated risks were assessed and recorded to provide staff with guidance of how to support people. People’s prescribed medicines had been managed and administered safely as prescribed. Referrals to health care professionals had been made when staff reported changes in people’s needs.
Staff were supported and trained to carry out their role. They received regular supervision and personalised support to enable them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. People received care and support from a consistent team of staff who knew them well and provided personalised care.
People were involved in decisions about their care. Staff provided information in formats people could understand. Staff made sure people understood their care and treatment to enable them to give informed consent. Staff involved those important to people to support making decisions in people’s best interests where they did not have capacity. People had enough to eat and drink to stay healthy. Staff worked with all agencies involved in people’s care for the best outcomes and smooth transitions when moving between services. They monitored people’s health to support healthy living.
The provider had improved their systems to monitor the quality of care being delivered to people. They valued and acted on feedback from people who use the service, staff and other stakeholders. The managers were knowledgeable about the service and demonstrated they had a good understanding of their legal requirements and needs of the people who were supported by the service.