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Archived: Brandon Supported Living - Cotswold

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Hawthorne House, 1 Lansdowne Lane, Stroud, GL5 1BJ

Provided and run by:
The Brandon Trust

All Inspections

28 and 29 October 2015

During a routine inspection

Brandon Supported Living – Cotswold is a domiciliary care service providing care and support to people in their own homes which are supported living services. When we visited 16 people were using the service at four separate addresses.

The inspection was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice of our inspection. We did this to ensure we would be able to meet with people where they were receiving the service.

There were two registered managers in post at the service. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider. 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. One registered manager was responsible for two supported living services in Cirencester where ten people received a service. Another was responsible for one supported living service in Stonehouse and one in Gloucester where a total of six people received a service.

People were safe because staff understood their role and responsibilities to keep people safe from harm. They knew how to raise any safeguarding concerns. People were supported to take appropriate risks and promote their independence, with individual plans put in place to protect people from harm. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. The provider carried out pre-employment checks to assess the suitability of staff before they started working with people. Medicines were managed safely and people received their medicines as prescribed. Staff prevented and controlled the risk of infection.

The service was effective because staff had been trained to meet people’s needs. Staff received supervision and appraisal aimed at improving the care and support they provided. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities in supporting people to make their own choices and decisions. People were supported to eat a healthy diet and drink sufficient fluids. People’s health care needs were identified and met.

People received a caring service because staff treated people with dignity and respect. People were actively involved in planning the care and support they received. People were supported to maintain and develop their independence. People were assisted to keep in touch with family and friends.

The service was responsive because the care and support provided was individualised. The service adapted to people’s changing needs. The service made changes in response to people’s views and opinions.

People received a service that was well led because both registered managers and other senior staff provided good leadership and management. The values, vision and culture of the service was clearly communicated and understood. The quality of service people received was continually monitored and any areas needing improvement were identified and addressed.

5 February 2014

During a routine inspection

The registered manager and support staff were available throughout the day and were very knowledgeable about people in their care, the policies, procedures and systems in place to ensure the continued smooth running of the service.

People shared their experiences with us about receiving the service and we spoke with people at length and observed staff interactions with people. Everyone expressed positive comments.

We visited two houses and found people were relaxing and socialising in communal areas, spending private time in their rooms, and one person was baking cakes with staff.

People we spoke with during the day told us "I feel supported by the staff' and 'I like to try and be independent'.

People had their comments and complaints listened to and acted on, without the fear that they would be discriminated against for making a complaint. People told us "When I have a bad day and feel unhappy I speak up' and 'I tell the staff when I am unhappy so they can help me'.

We spoke with three staff they told us they felt supported by the registered manager and senior staff. Staff told us "We work in small teams and help to support each other' and 'I have a supportive manager and liaise with them regularly' and 'I feel I have enough support to help me carry out my job.

25 March 2013

During a routine inspection

People were allocated a team of staff to support them in order to maintain consistency. One person told us, "I have known my carer for over 21 years".

People were supported in promoting their independence and community involvement. One person told us, "I really enjoy going out to the local coffee shop with the staff' and 'If I am unwell I prefer to see the doctor at the surgery'.

Support plans were person centred. The plans clearly explained people's likes, dislikes and what was important to people. They contained information about people's daily routines. In addition, we saw that people regularly attended the opticians, dentist, and other health professionals.

People were provided with specific information about how to raise concerns if they thought they were being abused. People were provided with contact details for other organisations for example the local authority, the police and the Care Quality Commission. This means that they could directly access the right people for advice if they needed to.

We spoke with staff who confirmed that staffing levels were good at the home. They told us "Staffing levels are good, we manage to cover shifts amongst ourselves as a team" and "The manager is very supportive and would ensure the rota is fully covered" and 'We have our own bank staff who help to cover shifts who know the service users very well'.