Archived: NAS Community Services (Kent)

Updated 2 February 2017

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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.

This inspection took place on 10 January 2017 and was announced. The visit was carried out by one inspector.

Prior to the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. The provider also supplied information relating to people who used the service and staff employed at the service.

Before the inspection, we reviewed all information we held about the service. Providers are required to notify the Care Quality Commission about events and incidents that occur, including injuries to people receiving care and safeguarding matters. A notification is information about important events which the registered provider is required to send to us by law.

During the inspection, we looked at one person’s care records, two staff files, records associated with the quality and safety of the service, staff training, policies and procedures, and accident and incident records. We spoke with the registered manager.

After the inspection we spoke by telephone with one person who used the service and two members of staff.

Updated 2 February 2017

This inspection took place on 10 January 2017 and was announced. The registered manager was given 48 hours' notice. We needed to be sure that members of the management team were available to talk to. The service was previously inspected on 26 February 2014, when no breaches of legal requirements were identified.

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.

The service provides support to adults and young people with autism who live in their own homes in the community. At the time of this inspection, they were providing personal care and support to one person. The office is based in Gravesend and people were residing at a supported living service in Herne Bay.

We found staff understood their responsibilities to ensure people were safe. They knew how to report abuse if they suspected it was occurring and could identify types of abuse.

There were enough staff working for the service to meet people’s needs. There was an effective recruitment system in place to ensure only suitable staff were employed.

People’s care needs were assessed prior to them using the service. Care plans gave detailed information on what care and support people required. They also included risk assessments.

There were systems in place to safely manage and administer medicines to people. Staff had been trained in the safe administration of medicines.

People were cared for by staff who were trained and supported to meet their needs. The provider had a programme of training for all staff.

Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and supported people to make decisions and acted in their best interests when providing care. Consent was sought before care and support was carried out.

People could express their views and were involved in making decisions about their care. Care records contained information about people’s wishes, likes and dislikes, needs and preferences.

The registered manager worked well with other health professionals to ensure peoples’ needs were met. When requested, staff supported people at mealtimes to ensure they ate and drank enough.

Staff treated people with respect and dignity and encouraged them to be independent. They knew the people they cared for well.

People and their relatives were provided with information on how to make a complaint. People were happy with the way staff were looking after them.

The registered manager had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided. They carried out regular audits and were committed to provide a good quality service to people.

Staff felt the registered manager was approachable and supportive. They were given opportunities during staff meetings to share ideas and make suggestions about the service. Staff were clear about their role and responsibilities and who they were accountable to.