Background to this inspection
Updated
13 November 2019
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in four ‘supported living’ setting[s], 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 had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 3 October 2019 and ended on 7 October 2019. We visited the office location on 16 October 2019.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to this inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service, including data about safeguarding and statutory notifications. Statutory notifications are information about important events which the provider is required to send us by law. We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections.
We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
As part of our inspection we visited three people who received support from Mencap - Surrey Supported Living. We also spoke with the registered manager, service manager and three staff members. We reviewed a range of documents about people's care and how the service was managed. We looked at three care plans, three staff files, medication administration records, risk assessments, policies and procedures and internal audits that had been completed.
After the inspection
Following the inspection, we spoke with two relatives. We reviewed additional information requested from the provider regarding the support people received and further audit information.
Updated
13 November 2019
About the service
Mencap - Surrey Supported Living is registered to provide personal care. Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided. At the time of our inspection the service was supporting six people with personal care needs.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People benefitted from support which was person centred and designed to meet their specific needs and interests. The provider had a clear ethos and values which were instilled into the working practices of staff. People and staff had positive relationships and staff knew people extremely well. Staff demonstrated an understanding of people’s diverse communication needs and provided support to each person in a personalised way. Staff were caring in their approach to people and ensured their privacy and independence was respected.
People were relaxed with staff and systems were in place to keep them safe from abuse and avoidable harm. Risks to people’s safety and well-being were identified and monitored and accidents and incidents closely monitored. People received their medicines safely and in line with their prescriptions. There were enough staff with the right skills and experience to meet people's needs.
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. Support was provided to make choices in all areas of people’s lives including how they spent their time, food, finances and activities. People had access to healthcare professionals and staff supported people to monitor their health.
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. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
The service was managed well and people had a positive relationship with the registered manager and service manager. Staff felt supported and their contribution to the service was recognised and valued. Quality assurance process were in place to ensure standards were maintained and a process of continuous learning was embedded into staff practice.
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 30/10/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on our inspection schedule.
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.