We carried out a review of the data available to us about Independent Lifestyle on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Independent Lifestyle, you can give feedback on this service.
Independent Lifestyle is a supported living scheme providing personal care support to people with learning disabilities and complex needs. This service provides care and support to people living in three 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. At the time of this inspection the service provided care for a total of 19 people. People's care and housing were provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
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 ensured that people who used the service could live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflected the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that included control, choice, and independence. People using the service received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People who used the service were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. There were effective systems and processes in place to minimise risks to people. A safeguarding policy was in place and there were systems to ensure proper and safe use of medicines. Care plans included risk assessments covering a range of areas and there were measures to reduce the risk. Care workers had been recruited safely. Appropriate checks had been carried out.
People's needs had been assessed before they started to use the service. They were supported to have their assessed needs met by care workers with the right skills and knowledge. They 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 supported to access healthcare services they needed. There was evidence of recent appointments with healthcare professionals.
People were treated and supported with respect. The service was aware of people’s cultural and religious needs. It provided support that met these needs. The service respected and promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence. We discussed with the registered manager to find creative ways for people to have more control over their own medicines where possible.
People’s care plans were based on comprehensive assessments of their needs. Their communication needs were met. The service identified and recorded how people wished to communicate and if they had any communication needs.
People told us the service was well-led. There were clear management structures in place. Care workers were clear about their own roles and those of the managers. The registered manager was knowledgeable about issues and priorities relating to the quality and future of the service. There were a range of data gathering systems and processes for the purposes of improving 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 15 November 2016).
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.
Independent Lifestyle offers supported living services to people with learning disabilities and enduring mental health problems. The service can accommodate a maximum of 18 people. On the day of the inspection there were 18 people using the service across three supported living locations.
The service had a registered manager who was also the registered provider. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
People and relatives told us they felt safe. Procedures and policies relating to safeguarding people from harm were in place and accessible to staff. All staff had completed training in safeguarding adults and demonstrated an understanding of types of abuse to look out for and how to raise safeguarding concerns.
Detailed current risk assessments were in place for people using the service. Risk assessments in place were reviewed and updated regularly. The risk assessments explained the signs to look for when assessing the situation and the least restrictive ways of mitigating the risk based on the individual needs of the person. People were supported to take positive risks.
Medicines were managed safely and effectively and there were regular medication audits in place. Staff had completed medication training and the service had a clear medication policy in place which was accessible to staff. Risk assessments specific to medicines were in place for people who were supported to take medicines.
We saw friendly, caring and supportive interactions between staff and people and staff knew the needs and preferences of the people using the service.
Care plans were person centred and reflected what was important to the person. Care needs were regularly reviewed and updated to meet the changing needs of people who use the service.
We saw evidence of a comprehensive staff induction and on-going training programme. Staff were also safely recruited with necessary pre-employment checks carried out. Staff had regular supervisions and annual appraisals.
All staff had received training on the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and staff understood what to do if they had concerns as regards people's mental capacity.
People were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare services.
The service regularly requested feedback from people who use the service.
People were encouraged and supported to access the community and engage in a wide range of activities of their choosing.
The management team enabled an open culture that encouraged staff and people to discuss issues and ideas.
The provider had an effective and comprehensive quality monitoring system to ensure standards of service were maintained and improved.
Person centred plans provided information on each person's likes and dislikes, and detailed procedures for how they liked to be supported. We saw a pictorial activities timetable for one person, for example going to college, going shopping and friends visiting them. There was a separate support timetable for practical tasks that they needed support with, including doing laundry, cleaning their room and taking their medicines.
We saw that each person signed a tenancy agreement for their room in the house, and the service user guide which specified the support services provided.
The training records showed that staff had induction training to ensure that they understood the policies and procedures of the service for maintaining the safety of people using the service.
We saw evidence that all the care workers had received training in safeguarding people from abuse during their induction training. The supported living service was available for people over the age of 16. No one under the age of 18 currently used the service, but staff had training in child protection procedures in case they were needed.
During our inspection we found people were well cared for and were involved in decisions related to their care. The provider ensured that people's medical needs were followed up and people were supported to access community activities.
People were cared for in a clean environment and were aware of how to make a compliant and the procedure of making complaints was provided in a format that met their needs.