29 January 2015
During a routine inspection
This inspection took place on 29 January 2015 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides an outreach service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.
We last inspected this service in May 2014. At that time we found the provider was in breach of regulations because staff told us they restrained people even though they had not undertaken any training on the use of restraint and the provider did not have a policy and procedure in place about the use of restraint. The provider sent us an action plan detailing how they planned to deal with these issues. We found the service was now meeting the regulation.
The service provided an outreach support programme to people that lived in their own homes. This included supporting people to access activities, community facilities and to develop their independence. The service was registered for the provision of personal care. At the time of our inspection one person was using the service.
The service had 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.
Relatives told us they believed their relative was safe. They said their relative was treated well and the service knew how to support them and meet their needs. They told us the registered manager was approachable and listened to what they had to say.
Staff were aware of their responsibility with regard to safeguarding adults. Risk assessments were in place which set out how to support people in a safe manner. There was enough staff working at the service to keep people safe.
Staff were supported by the service through one to one supervision and training. People’s capacity was assessed and they were able to make choices about their care and staff understood their responsibilities with regard to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). MCA is law that supports people to make choices where they have the capacity to do so. People were supported to eat a healthy balanced diet and had choice over what they ate. The service supported people to attend medical appointments.
People were treated with dignity and respect. The service sought to promote people’s independence and privacy. Staff interacted with people in a caring manner.
Care plans were in place and staff had a good understanding of how to meet people’s needs. Relatives told us the service was reliable. People knew how to make complaints and staff were aware of their responsibility for responding to any complaints received.
People told us the registered manager was approachable and helpful. The service had various quality assurance and monitoring systems in place. Appropriate arrangements were in place in relation to medicines.