Background to this inspection
Updated
23 December 2021
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in two ‘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 did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. A registered manager and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided. At the time of the inspection the registered manager was no longer working at the service. A service manager was in post and had applied to register with CQC.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.
Inspection activity started on 21 October 2021 and ended on 22 October 2021. We visited the office location on 21 October 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we held about 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 one person who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff of staff including the service manager, two support workers, area service manager and deputy head of service.
We reviewed a range of records. This included one person’s care record, two staff files, quality assurance records and complaints records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
23 December 2021
About the service
Stepping Stone Court is a supported living service providing personal care to people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. This service provides care and support to people living in two 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own home 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. At the time of inspection, 11 people were living in two supported living homes of which one person was receiving personal care and support.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff actively supported people to maintain their independence through a creative and positive approach to risk taking. Learning from incidents was used to inform risk management to ensure people were supported to maintain their independence. People were encouraged to identify and follow pursuits that interested them.
People were encouraged to take an active role in the running of the service. Adaptions had been made to making communication accessible for people using social stories and adaptive technology.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
Staff were well trained, skilled and motivated to deliver a high-quality level of care. Staff had received training tailored to people's individual care needs.
We observed staff communicating and interacting with people. People were comfortable and confident around staff that were supporting them.
People were supported to maintain good health and had access to healthcare services. Staff worked with a range of health professionals to ensure they knew people's care needs.
People were valued and placed at the centre of the service. People were supported to be active in the running of the home.
Medicines were managed safely. Staffing levels were enough to ensure that people's needs were met in a person-centred way. Staff were safely recruited.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
Right support:
• People were given choice and control in a supported way. For example, people had a keyworker and information was provided in a person-centred accessible format.
Right care:
• The staff and management team were very focussed on delivering person-centred care and were responsive to people's changing needs.
Right culture:
• Staff had formed positive relationships with people they supported and looked for ways to develop their independence. People were fully supported and motivated to be active members within the community which reduced social isolation and promoted development of social skills.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was last inspected on 24 October 2018, however, no rating was awarded at that inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the last inspection date and lack of rating awarded at that inspection.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.