This inspection took place on 26 July, 2 and 15 August 2017 and was unannounced. There was a registered manager in post. 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.
Leeds Learning Disability Community Support-West and North West Leeds is a service that provides personal care and support to people with a learning disability to live in their own homes either on their own or sharing with others in supported living services. A supported living service is one where people receive care and support to enable them to live independently. People have a tenancy agreement with a housing provider and receive their care and support from Leeds learning disability community support-West and North West Leeds. At the time of our inspection there were 105 people who used this service.
Care records were personalised and tailored to the person. Care plans were in place that clearly described how each person would like to be supported. People had been consulted about their care and support. The care plans provided staff with information to support people effectively.
Other health and social professionals were involved in the care of the people.
Safe systems were in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed. Medicines were stored and recorded appropriately.
The Care Quality Commission's role in these settings is to focus on the regulated activity of ‘personal care’ and the CQC has no regulatory responsibility to inspect the accommodation for people living in these settings. Although staff were not always responsible for people's accommodation, we found they had ensured people's homes were safe and comfortable, through effective communication with the landlords and other relevant agencies.
People were protected from the risk of abuse because there were clear procedures in place to recognise and respond to abuse and staff had been trained in how to follow the procedures.
Systems were in place to ensure people were safe including risk management and safe recruitment processes. There were policies in place for lone working for staff.
Staff were caring and supportive and demonstrated a good understanding of their roles in supporting people. Staff received training and support that was relevant to their roles.
Systems were in place to ensure open communication including team meetings and one to one meetings between staff and their line managers. Staff were committed to providing a service that was tailored to each person they supported.
Staff were enthusiastic and worked with people to enable them to achieve positive outcomes. They understood their roles in relation to encouraging people's independence, whilst protecting and safeguarding people from harm.
People were involved in the day to day running of the service. People were valued and supported to be as independent as possible.
People's rights were upheld, consent was sought before any support was given. Staff were aware of the legislation which ensured people were protected in respect of decision making and any restrictions and how this impacted on their day to day roles.
People's views were sought through care reviews, meetings and surveys and acted upon. Systems were in place to ensure complaints were responded to and, learnt from to improve the service provided.
The provider’s values and philosophy were clearly explained to staff and there was a positive culture where people felt included and their views were sought. The provider was aware of the importance of reviewing the quality of the service and was aware of the improvements that were needed to enhance the service.