Background to this inspection
Updated
20 April 2018
We carried out this comprehensive 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 28 February 2018 and was announced. We gave the registered manager 48 hours’ notice to ensure they were available for the inspection.
The inspection was undertaken by one inspector and an expert-by-experience (ExE) who made phone calls to people to gather their feedback about the service. 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 we reviewed the Provider Information Return (PIR) the registered manager had sent to us. 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. We also reviewed other information we hold about the service and the provider such as local authority contract monitoring report, complaints and safeguarding concerns. A notification is information about important events the provider is required to send to us by law.
During the inspection, the ExE spoke with six people who used the service and two relatives. We spoke with the registered manager, two service managers and three support workers. We looked at five people’s care records to see how the service managed and delivered their care and support. These included risk assessment, care plans and medicine records. We checked five staff records relating to their recruitment, training and supervision records. We also reviewed other records included staff training, accidents and incidents, complaints, quality audits and policies and procedures.
Updated
20 April 2018
This inspection took place on 28 February 2018 and was announced. Essential Social Care provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, so that they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. At the time of our inspection, 35 people were using the service.
At the last inspection of Essential Social Care on 15 December 2015, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good. The service demonstrated they continued to meet the regulations and fundamental standards.
There was a Registered Manager in place. 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.
Staff were trained to safeguard people from abuse. They knew the signs to recognise abuse and the procedure to report any concerns. They also knew how to whistle-blow if needed to protect people.
People’s needs were met by staff. There were sufficient staff available and deployed properly to support people. Staff underwent recruitment checks to ensure they were suitable to work with people.
Risks to people were identified and management plans developed to alleviate harm to them. People received support to take their medicines as prescribed and the management of medicines was safe. Staff knew how to report incidents and accidents and records of these were maintained. Actions were put in place to reduce reoccurrence. Staff were trained and followed good infection control procedures.
Staff and the registered manager understood their roles and responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. People were 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. People consented to their care before they were delivered.
People’s care needs were assessed and support plans developed on how identified needs would be met individually. People received support from staff to meet their needs, develop new skills, and achieve their goals. People were supported with activities that they enjoyed. People were supported to maintain relationships that mattered to them.
Staff were supported through an induction, supervision, appraisal and training to provide an effective support to people. Staff provided support to people where needed with preparing their meals and meeting their nutritional needs. Staff supported people to access health and social care services to maintain good health. The service ensured people’s support was well coordinated with other services and professionals.
People were treated with compassion and kindness. People told us that staff respected their privacy and dignity. People were involved in planning their care and support. Staff respected their decisions and choices. People were encouraged to maintain their independence as much as possible. The service promoted people’s religious beliefs and culture and supported them to maintain these.
People and their relatives knew how to complain about the service should they need to. People and their relatives told us they were happy with the service. Staff told us they received the direction and leadership they needed from the registered manager and service managers.
Various checks were carried out to assess the quality of care provided to people. Actions were put in place to address areas of concerns identified. The service worked in partnership with other organisations to improve the service.