Lifeways Paragon Limited (North West)

Updated 28 April 2025

Lifeways Paragon Limited (North West) is a supported living service which providers personal care to older people, younger adults, people with a physical disability, people with a learning disability and people living with a dementia. We assessed all quality statements under the five key questions of Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led. We undertook a site visit on the 30 April 2025.

We have assessed the service against ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ guidance to make 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.

Risks to people’s safety were not always managed well as we found concerns in relation to risk assessments, the environment and infection, prevention and control measures. Medicines were not being managed or stored safely and there was a lack of oversight in this area. People were not being deprived of the liberty safely and people’s consent was not always sought.

Support plans were not always up to date and it was not clear whether people and their relatives had been involved in regular reviews. Staff training records were not clear and people’s communication needs were not always recorded. Not everyone was aware of relative meetings and not everyone felt they would be informed should a concern arise.

Lessons learnt processes were not always robust and we found concerns with the governance and oversight of this service. Audits did not identify concerns found during the assessment process and staff were not always aware of how to access the service’s policies and procedures.

Accidents, incidents and the management of distressed behaviours were robust, and audits in this area identified trends and themes to help reduce future risks. Staff recruitment processes were overall robust, and staff were receiving regular supervisions and attending staff meetings which they found helpful. Staff spoke highly of the registered manager and the management team and found them to be knowledgeable and helpful. Staff felt supported in their role.

We found 3 breaches of the legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment, consent and governance.

In instances where CQC have decided to take civil or criminal enforcement action against a provider, we will publish this information on our website after any representations and/ or appeals have been concluded. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.

Updated 28 April 2025

We visited people’s homes and found there to be a calm and relaxed atmosphere. People appeared comfortable around the staff team and the people who spoke to us appeared happy and content. We carried out observations and spoke to people and relatives over the phone. People described the staff as, ‘Awesome’ and a relative told us, “I am very happy with this service, there is nothing I would change.”

Some support plans required updating, however, some support plans were person-centred and detailed people’s goals and ambitions for the future. People told us they felt safe using this service. One person said, “I am looked after well. If worried, I will talk to care staff.”

Staff promoted people’s health and wellbeing. One staff member said, “We encourage people to get out. We do activities like cycling and hydrotherapy. People tell us what they like to do, or their families do, and we make sure where possible that this is done.” However, we did find people’s oral care needs weren’t always taken into consideration.

People’s independence was promoted, and they chose how they spend their time. A range of activities were available to people including days out in the community and holidays. One relative said, “[Person using the service] enjoys car rides, goes swimming at the hydro pool, weather permitting cycling and attends a day centre. They also come to visit (family) at weekend.”