You First Support Services CIC

Updated 26 November 2020

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check on specific concerns we had received related to how staff were recruited and inducted and the infection control and prevention measures in place.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in ‘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 a manager registered with the CQC. A registered manager 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 advanced notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the registered manager and staff would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.

We looked at notifications received from the service. A notification is the means by which providers tell us important information that affects the running of the service and the care people receive. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with seven members of staff and a social care professional who worked with the service by telephone prior to visiting the office on 5 November 2020. We also had email feedback from two further staff. We reviewed documents relating to infection control and the risks associated with COVID-19, recruitment and induction

After the inspection

We received information from the provider on 09 November providing reassurances about changes they had made.

Updated 26 November 2020

You First Support Services CIC is a domiciliary care agency which provides personal care in people's own homes. This includes assistance or prompting with washing, toileting, dressing, medicines, eating and drinking. We call this type of service a 'supported living' service. In a supported living service, people's accommodation is provided by separate housing providers or landlords, usually on a rental or lease arrangement. Occasionally, people own their own homes. This means people can choose an alternative support service provider if they wish.

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 provided support to adults with learning disability, autistic spectrum disorder, sensory impairment and physical disability. Personal care was provided to people as they required it. The service also provided other forms of social care support that are not included within CQC's registration requirements for a supported living service. For example, in addition to personal care, staff helped people with their housekeeping, shopping, attending appointments and other independent living skills. At the time of the inspection the service provided personal care and support to two people living in their own homes.

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’s care and support was planned in partnership with them and with those close to them. Staff used individual ways of involving people so that they felt consulted, empowered, listened to and valued. People's communication needs were identified within their care plans.

People’s views were central to how the service was run. They were involved in every aspect of the service, including in the recruitment and training of staff.

The service was responsive to people’s individual needs and preferences, which enabled people to live as full a life as possible. People had been supported to overcome prejudice, mistrust, fear or great anxiety to live as equal members of their community.

The provider’s vision and values made sure people were at the heart of the service. The service worked in partnership with other organisations to make sure they were following current practice and providing a high-quality service.

The service was very well managed. The management team were open, honest, knowledgeable and outward looking. There were effective systems to monitor the quality and safety of the service. There was a strong commitment to drive continuous improvement.

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.

People were safe with staff who supported them. The provider had policies and procedures in place designed to protect people from the risk of suffering harm and abuse. Safety assessments were in place which identified possible risks to people living in their own homes. Healthy risk taking was supported and encouraged to enable people to lead the lifestyle they chose.

People's needs were thoroughly assessed before the service started to support them, to ensure their needs could be met. Each new service was planned very carefully. People's needs were met by suitable numbers of staff. Staff were closely matched to the people they supported.

People were supported by staff who were trained to meet their individual needs. The service worked closely with people’s families and other professionals to improve the care and support they provided.

Staff asked people for their consent before supporting them. People were supported well by staff, who respected their choices and decisions. People were supported by staff who saw them as equals; staff respected and promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence.

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 (Report published 15 September 2017).

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.