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Archived: Your Life Supported Living Services

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Kent House, Charles Street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1TA 07976 721644

Provided and run by:
Your Life Care Group Limited

Important: This service was previously registered at a different address - see old profile
Important: This service is now registered at a different address - see new profile

All Inspections

23 October 2017

During a routine inspection

The service was run by a registered manager. 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 registered manager and staff had received training about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA 2005) and understood when and how to support people's best interest if they lacked capacity to make certain decisions about their care.

Staff had received training about protecting people from abuse and showed a good understanding of what their responsibilities were in preventing abuse. Procedures for reporting any concerns were in place. The registered manager knew how and when they should escalate concerns following the local authorities safeguarding protocols.

There were sufficient numbers of staff available to keep people safe. Staffing levels were determined by the person’s needs. The person received care that was tailored specifically to them and their needs had been assessed to identify the care they required. Care and support was planned and reviewed with the person to make sure they continued to have the support they needed. The person was actively encouraged to be as independent as possible. Detailed and specific guidance was provided to staff about how to provide all areas of the care and support the person needed. Staff knew the person well which enabled them to support them in a personalised way.

A system to recruit new staff was in place. This was to make sure that the staff employed to support people were fit to do so. Staff had completed comprehensive induction training when they first started to work at the service. Staff were supported during their induction, monitored and assessed to check that they had attained the right skills and knowledge to be able to care for, support and meet people's needs. Management carried out routine checks of staff knowledge and capability.

Staff received a comprehensive programme of training and were supported to develop their skills and knowledge. The provider supported staff to attain qualifications. There were staff meetings, so staff could discuss any issues and share ideas with their colleagues, to improve people's care and support. Refresher training was provided at regular intervals.

Staff had been trained to administer medicines safely and staff spoke confidently about their skills and abilities to do this well. Medicines were managed and administered safely. People received their medicines when they needed them and as prescribed.

Risks were assessed and recorded by staff to protect people. There were systems in place to monitor incidents and accidents.

Staff listened to what the person told them and responded appropriately. Staff knew the person very well and responded to noises, gestures and body language. The person was treated with respect and their privacy and dignity was maintained.

Staff actively encouraged the person to be involved and feel included in their environment. The person chose what they wanted to do for the day and staff supported them. Staff were committed to ensuring the person participated in the activities of their choice and to go out.

The provider had processes in place to monitor the delivery of the service. The person’s views were obtained through one-to-one meetings, conversations and meetings with social workers. There were policies in place so that the person would be listened to and treated fairly if they complained. Information was available to the person about how to raise a concern or complaint.

Staff told us that the service was well led and staff felt supported by the registered manager and deputy manager to make sure they could support and care for people safely and effectively. Accurate records were kept about the care and support the person received and about the day to day running of the service. This provided staff with the information they needed to provide safe and consistent care and support to the person.

Quality assurance audits were carried out to identify any shortfalls within the service and how the service could improve.