Future Living

Updated 14 June 2018

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 8 May 2018 and was announced.

One adult social care inspector, one medicines inspector and one expert by experience carried out the inspection. An expert by experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This form asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the information in the PIR and looked at other information we held about the service. At our last inspection of the service in January 2017, we identified concerns with the care provided to people. At this inspection, we found the provider had improved.

During the inspection, we met the provider, four members of staff and three people who used the service. The people who used the service were unable to communicate verbally and therefore we observed their interaction with staff and spoke with two family members who were closely involved in peoples care and support.

We also looked at records relating to their care. This included three care plans, people’s daily diaries, four staff recruitment files, training records, medicine records, complaint and incident reports and performance monitoring reports.

Updated 14 June 2018

The inspection took place on 8 May 2018 and was announced. We gave the provider four days' notice (this was over a bank holiday weekend) because we wanted to make sure the provider was available on the day of the inspection. We also wanted to visit people who used the service and wanted to be certain they were willing to meet us.

When the service was last inspected in January 2017 one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 was identified At that inspection we found that safe recruitment procedures had not always been followed and there was a lack of recording of

monitoring checks by the provider.

During this inspection, we checked that the provider was meeting the legal requirements of the regulations they had breached. You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the 'All reports' link for Mrs Tracey Jayne Mitchell, on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

The service is also known as Future Living and provides a supported living service to people living in their own home. People who live in the supported living property have individual tenancy agreements. At the time of the inspection, the provider was providing personal care and support to three people who shared a bungalow. Mrs Tracey Jayne Mitchell as a sole provider runs the service. As a sole provider, she is not required to employ a registered manager. Instead, they had opted to manage the service themselves.

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.

At the last inspection, we rated the service as Requires Improvement. At this inspection, we found that the provider had made the required improvements within the service.

People received a safe service. The registered manager understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and record safety incidents, concerns and near misses and report these internally and externally as necessary. The provider embedded a proactive approach to managing risks to people who used the service. The provider made sure there was enough staff on duty.

At the last inspection in January 2017, safe recruitment processes were not completed. At this inspection, this had improved. Records showed the provider had safe recruitment procedures in place.

The provider was clear about its responsibilities and role in relation to medicines. The provider managed the control and prevention of infection well. Staff understood their responsibilities to raise concerns and report incidents and accidents. Where incidents had occurred, the provider had used these to make improvements and shared and lessons learned with staff.

People received effective care and support from competent and well-trained staff. Staff received a thorough induction at the start of their employment. New staff completed a qualification known as the Care Certificate at the start of their employment if they do not already hold a relevant qualification. The Care Certificate covers an identified set of standards which health and social care workers are expected to adhere to. All staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals.

Care plans were clear, detailed, and easy to read. Staff regularly reviewed care plans. The provider offered a healthy and balanced range of meals to suit each person's dietary needs and preferences. Feedback from relatives was very positive.

Staff understood and demonstrated a good working knowledge of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the key requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The provider and staff had received training on the MCA. There was also a policy on the MCA which was accessible to staff.

People gave their consent before accepting care or support. Staff treated people with dignity, respect, and kindness and understood how to communicate with people. Staff supported people to maintain and develop their relationships with those close to them, their social networks, and community.

People knew how to give feedback about their experiences of care and support, and could do so in a range of accessible ways, including how to raise any concerns or issues. Staff told us the provider was a good manager. The provider was passionate and dedicated to providing an excellent service to people. There was a positive culture in the service, the provider led by example.”.

At the last inspection in January 2017, the provider did not carry out regular monitoring checks. At this inspection, we found this had improved. The provider had engaged an external contractor to support them. There were effective quality assurance arrangements at the service in order to raise standards and drive improvements.

People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice.

Further information is in the detailed findings below