5 June 2019
During a routine inspection
Lifeways (Lancashire South) is registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes in the St Helens and Manchester areas. People had varying degrees of support, including those with learning disabilities, autism and/or mental health needs. During this inspection eight people were receiving support with personal care.
People using the service either lived in a ‘supported living’ setting in their own flats or bungalows and received support from staff over varied number of agreed hours. People had access to staff support 24 hours a day. The supported living setting included two apartment blocks with up to 12 and 15 single occupancy flats and three single occupancy bungalows. A separate office was located within the apartment blocks which also included sleeping facilities for staff to access.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
Staff were motivated to deliver care and support that was person-centred and based on people’s needs and preferences. People were encouraged and supported to be as independent as possible. People’s needs and choices and had been assessed and planned for. Care plans identified intended outcomes for people and how they were to be met in a way they preferred.
People and family members spoke positively about the caring approach of the staff team and how well they knew people’s needs. Positive relationships had been developed between staff and people using the service. People and family members told us staff treated them with kindness, compassion and respect and observations showed that staff interacted well with people.
People told us they felt safe whilst being supported by staff and were confident they were well looked after. People living within the ‘supported living’ settings told us they felt safe because staff were available whenever they needed them. Staff showed a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities of keeping people safe from harm.
Risks to people had been assessed and those identified were managed safely by competent staff. Where people required support with medication this was managed safely; people and family members confirmed that medication was received at the right times. Where required, people had access to appropriate equipment and were supported to ensure their homes remained safe.
People were supported to access a range of social activities that were based on their interests and goals. Activities were used as a way to help develop independence, skill development and healthy living. People spoke positively about the activities they accessed and told us everything they did was their choice.
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.
The leadership of the service promoted person-centred care and a positive culture within the staff team. The newly recruited registered manager was open and transparent and had worked hard to address issues identified when they first came in to post. Positive comments had been received by people, family members and staff regarding the changes they had already made to the running of the service. Effective quality assurance systems supported with the continuous learning and development of the service.
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 registered with us on 25 May 2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on our inspection scheduling and previous rating.
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.