Camphill Village Trust - St Albans

Camphill Village Trust - St Albans provides domiciliary support to people who live in privately rented houses and flats. People receive care based on a 'supported living' model to help them live as independently as possible and to provide them with the support they need to help meet their individual needs. Support is provided to a range of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. At the time of our inspection there were 39 people who were receiving support, however only five people received the regulated activity of `personal care`.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People told us they were happy and felt safe when staff supported them except for one person. They told us at times they were anxious as they didn’t always know which staff were allocated to support them.

Relatives told us the changes made by the provider had led to some staff leaving. This caused anxiety and upset people who were used to being supported by the same members of staff for several months or years.

Some relatives told us communication between them, and the management of the service was not always good. They said this needed to improve further to ensure they could feel more involved in people’s care and that their opinion mattered.

Newly employed staff were happy with the support and training provided to them. They felt this prepared them for their role and helped them provide care and support to people safely and effectively. Other members of staff told us they did not feel supported or listened by the management or the provider.

The provider identified the need to change the ethos of the service and introduced a `co-production` approach where staff were encouraged to work with people rather than just deliver the care people needed. They implemented a new management structure and re-organised staff to work in teams with the same people.

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.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture for the areas we checked in this inspection. People were encouraged to be independent and staff shared the providers values and ethos in providing people with choices and enabling support.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 30 April 2019).

Why we inspected

We undertook this targeted inspection to check on a specific concerns we received from members of the public about recruitment of staff, staff not being supported by their managers, blanket approach to visiting in people’s homes as well as some people missing their health appointments. The overall rating for the service has not changed following this targeted inspection and remains good.

CQC have introduced targeted inspections to follow up on Warning Notices or to check specific concerns. They do not look at an entire key question, only the part of the key question we are specifically concerned about. Targeted inspections do not change the rating from the previous inspection. This is because they do not assess all areas of a key question.

We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from these concerns. Please see the safe and well-led sections of this full report.

You can read the report from our last comprehensive inspection, by selecting the ‘all reports’ link for Camphill Village Trust - St Albans on our website at www.cqc.org.uk.

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.

People’s experience of using this service:

• There was a warm, welcoming and very friendly atmosphere throughout. The provider was very person-centred and staff had an extensive understanding of people's individual needs.

• Staff were extremely responsive towards people’s lives and care requirements.

• People and where appropriate, relatives told us they were fully consulted in the review of their care plans.

• The service was both enthusiastic and creative in supporting people to pursue their interests which created a sense of belonging and purpose. A range of day time activities, work experience and full-time employment was on offer to ensure a variety of opportunities which reflected people’s individual wishes and interests.

• The registered manager was passionate about providing person centred care and this was reflected in every aspect of the service. People were empowered to help run and improve the service through a variety of forums and consultation processes.

• Partnerships had been developed with the community and health and social care professionals.

• A range of regular checks had been completed to review the quality of the care and any areas where improvements were required. When identified improvements were implemented to continuously work in the interests of the people living at Camphill - St Albans.

• People’s safety had been considered and risks had been reduced by the introduction of equipment or guidance. Staff had received training in relation to safeguarding and knew how to protect people from harm.

• Medicine was managed safely. People were supported to follow a healthy eating plan and staff advised and supported people to live a healthy lifestyle.

• People enjoyed living as part of both the Camphill village community and also were very involved in taking an active part in the wider community of St Albans and surrounding areas.

• There were sufficient staff to meet their needs and staff were recruited in accordance with best practice.

• People are supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff support them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service support this practice. Health care had a focus to ensure people’s ongoing wellbeing.

• Information was provided in a range of formats to support understanding. People were able to access spiritual support to meet their religious beliefs.

• There was a registered manager of the service and the rating was displayed within the main office/reception area as well as on their website. When required notifications had been completed to inform us of events and incidents, this helped us the monitor the action the provider had taken.

Rating at last inspection: Good (Published December 2016)

Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the rating at the last inspection. At this inspection we found the service continued to be Good, and in one area improved to Outstanding.

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.