Archived: Solutions in Service Ltd

Updated 22 March 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

The inspection took place on the 29 February 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a supported living service for people who live in the community, we wanted to make sure that someone was available to help with the inspection. The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector.

Before the inspection, we reviewed the information we held about the registered provider including previous notifications and any complaints or safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events which the registered provider is required to send to us by law.

We looked at information provided by the local authority and safeguarding teams. The information raised no concerns about the service.

As part of the inspection we met with six people who used the service and three people’s relatives. We interviewed three staff, the deputy manager, registered manager and directors of the organisation. We also looked at three people’s care plans, medication records, three staff files, training information and some policies and procedures in relation to the running of the service.

Updated 22 March 2016

This was an unannounced inspection, carried out on 29 February 2016.

Solutions in Service is a supported living service which is registered to provide personal care for people who live in their own homes within the local community. Support in everyday activities can be provided, which helps people to live as independently as possible.

The service has 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.

The service has not been previously inspected by Care Quality Commission.

People told us that they felt safe using the service. The registered provider had a robust process for reporting any concerns they had and for ensuring people were protected from abuse. Staff had been provided with safeguarding adults training and they clearly described what was meant by abuse and the different types of abuse. Staff told us they would not hesitate to raise any concerns and they felt confident that they would be dealt with appropriately.

People were supported to be in control of their medication. Medication agreements sought consent and detailed how people wanted to be supported with their medicines on a daily basis. Staff had received appropriate medication training and their competency was assessed prior to observing or supporting people with their medication.

Robust recruitment processes were followed and there were sufficient qualified, skilled and experienced staff on duty to meet people’s needs.

Policies and procedures were in place to guide staff in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act (1983). The registered manager and staff had a good knowledge of legislation and their role and responsibility linked to this.

Staff were enabling and promoted inclusion for people in all aspects of their role. People were supported to live their lives how they chose and accessed the local community as they wished. Staff supported people to attend social events and to manage day to day tasks such as attending health appointments and voluntary work.

People’s needs were robustly assessed and planned for and staff had good information about how to meet people’s needs. Care plans were written with people and promoted positive enabling support. Staff worked well with external health and social care professionals to make sure people received the support they needed. People were referred onto the appropriate service when concerns about their health or wellbeing were noted. Staff were responsive in meeting changes to people’s health needs.

Staff were caring and they always treated people with kindness and respect. Staff promoted people’s privacy and dignity and continuously encouraged people to maintain their independence. Care plans included information about people’s rights including their right to be free from discrimination and to be treated as an equal.

Staff received support through supervision and team meetings which enabled them to discuss any matters, such as their work, training needs and areas of development. There was a well-developed programme of planned training which was relevant to the work staff carried out and the needs of the people who used the service.

The service was well managed by a person described as ‘excellent’ in their role. The registered provider was described as ‘always looking to progress and make a difference’ and people, staff and relatives supported this view point. The manager and staff promoted a culture of learning and development. Systems were in place to check on quality and the quality assurance audit which was based on CQCs five domains and key lines of enquiry (KLOES) was completed by the registered provider in line with their own timescales. We were notified as required about incidents and events which had occurred at the service.