Background to this inspection
Updated
16 January 2020
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was undertaken by one Inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to 14 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 service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. The registered manager was unavailable on the day of the inspection.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection-
We spoke with four care staff, the director and assistant manager. We reviewed a range of documents and records including the care records for four people and two medicine records. We also looked at records that related to the management and quality assurance of the service. We spoke to two people who used the service and three relatives about their experience of the care provided.
Updated
16 January 2020
Cheshire Care Services provides personal care to up to 14 people who live within 10 separate supported living properties. The service provides support for older people and younger adults and those with physical disability, mental health needs, dementia or learning disabilities or autism. At the time of the inspection there were six people using the service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Care plans lacked background information about people however staff members were knowledgeable about people’s backgrounds. We found some people’s care plans referred to a staff room being located in people’s homes. People who live in supported living properties should have access to all rooms within their homes.
People felt safe and their needs were being met. Relatives told us people were safe and raised no concerns over how staff supported people. Staff knew how to escalate issues and concerns and were aware of potential risks when providing support. New staff received induction and shadowing. Staff received regular training, supervision and appraisals.
People felt well cared for by staff who treated them with respect and dignity and encouraged them to maintain relationships and keep their independence for as long as possible. People could maintain friendships and contact with families, and when needed had access to advocates.
People felt staff supported their individual needs and requirements. People received food and drinks as required and attended any medical appointments. People were supported in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.
Staff liaised with other health care professionals to ensure people's safety and meet their health needs. Where people lacked capacity, staff worked with the local authority to make sure they minimised any restrictions on people's freedom for their safety and wellbeing.
Staff spoke positively about working for the provider. They felt well supported and that they could talk to management at any time, feeling confident any concerns would be acted on promptly. They felt valued and happy in their role.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
Rating at last inspection: The last rating for this service was Good (published 14 June 2017).
Why we inspected: This was a planned comprehensive inspection based on the rating of good at the last inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk