We carried out a review of the data available to us about D & H Community Support Ltd 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 D & H Community Support Ltd, you can give feedback on this service.
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
We have made a recommendation about the provider seeking further guidance on supporting people with their end of life preferences.
People were safe. Risk assessments were in place and reviewed regularly to ensure safe care continued. Staff were trained and could recognise signs of abuse and knew how to report it. Safe recruitment procedures meant that suitable staff were employed. Medicines were managed safely. Staff used Protective personal equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of infection this included disposable gloves, and aprons.
People’s choices, lifestyle, religion and culture as well as their personal and health care needs were all included in the care planning process. People were supported with accessing health care services when they needed, and the service worked in partnership with healthcare professionals. A training program meant people could be assured staff had the knowledge, skills and confidence to do their job.
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 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 to gain new skills and become more independent.
People’s needs were met by good planning and coordination of care. Pre-admission assessments meant the service was confident it had the right staff available to support people prior to care starting. Regular reviews of care meant the service could respond to changes in people’s needs promptly. A complaints procedure was in place and was given to people in a format that met their communication needs.
The provider, management team and staff had developed an open and honest culture, people and staff found them friendly and supportive. The registered manager had good oversight of the service from the quality monitoring processes. Learning and skill development was actively encouraged, and staff felt confident in their role. The registered manager worked in partnership with other professionals to strive for good outcomes for people who used the service.
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 19 August 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.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
D & H Community Support Ltd provides a home care agency service and a day centre for people living with learning and physical disabilities. People who use the home care service can also use the day centre. Our inspection was concerned only with those people using the home care service who received personal care. Day services do not fall within the scope of our regulatory powers. At the time of our inspection two people used the home service.
The service had a registered manager. 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 who used the service were safe. They were supported and cared for by staff who had been recruited under robust recruitment procedures that ensured only staff who were suited to work at the service were employed. Staff understood and practised their responsibilities for protecting people from abuse and avoidable harm.
People’s care plans included risk assessments of activities associated with their personal care routines. The risk assessments provided information for care workers that enabled them to support people safely but without restricting people’s independence.
Enough suitably skilled and knowledgeable staff were deployed to meet the needs of the people using the service. This meant that home care visits were consistently made at times that people expected. They were supported by a core team of care workers which meant the experienced a consistent quality of care and support.
All staff were trained in handling of medicines. At the time of our inspection none of the people using the service required support with medications such as pills or tablets.
People were cared for and supported by care workers staff who had the appropriate training and support to understand their needs. People using the service and their relatives spoke about staff in consistently complimentary and positive terms. Staff were supported through supervision, appraisal and training.
The registered manager understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2015. Staff had awareness of the MCA. They understood they could provide care and support only if a person consented to it.
People using the service were independent and able to meet their own needs with regard to nutrition and diet. However, staff supported them with information about healthy eating and exercise. People were supported to attend health care appointments and to access health services when they needed them.
Staff were caring and knowledgeable about people’s needs. People were supported by the same staff and developed caring relationships with them. People using the service and their relatives told us staff were caring.
People were involved in decisions about their care and support. They received the information they needed about the service and about their care and support. Information was available to them in `easy to read’ formats. People told us they were always treated with dignity and respect.
People contributed to the assessment of their needs and to reviews of their care plans. People’s care plans were centred on their individual needs. People knew how to raise concerns if they felt they had to and they were confident they would be taken seriously by the provider.
People using the service and staff had opportunities to be involved in developing the service. This was particularly so in relation to activities people were supported to access.
The provider had effective arrangements for monitoring the quality of the service. These included obtaining and acting upon people’s feedback about their experience of the service.