29 July 2019
During a routine inspection
Valued lives is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people with mental health needs, learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder and dementia.
The service operated 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.
The Secretary of State has asked the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to conduct a thematic review and to make recommendations about the use of restrictive interventions in settings that provide care for people with or who might have mental health problems, learning disabilities and/or autism. Thematic reviews look in-depth at specific issues concerning quality of care across the health and social care sectors. They expand our understanding of both good and poor practice and of the potential drivers of improvement.
As part of thematic review, we considered whether the service used any restrictive intervention practices (restraint, seclusion and segregation) when supporting people. The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way. No restrictive intervention practices were used.
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.
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 had suitable safeguarding systems in place, and staff had received training about recognising abuse.
Appropriate risk assessment procedures were in place so any risks to people, staff or visitors were minimised.
Staff were recruited appropriately. Staffing levels were satisfactory, and people received timely support from staff when this was required.
The medicines system was well organised and staff received suitable training. People received their medicines on time.
The service had suitable assessment and care planning systems to assist in ensuring people received effective and responsive care.
Staff received induction, training and supervision to assist them to carry out their work.
People received enough to eat and drink. Some people were involved in food shopping and cooking.
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.
People received support from external health professionals and were encouraged to live healthier lives.
People said they received support from staff which was caring and respectful. Care promoted people’s dignity and independence. People were involved in decisions about their care.
People had the opportunity to participate in activities and to spend time with the wider community.
People felt confident raising any concerns or complaints. Records showed these had been responded to appropriately.
The service was managed effectively. People and staff had confidence in the registered manager.
The manager was able to demonstrate the service learned from mistakes to minimise them happening again.
The service had suitable systems to monitor service delivery and bring about improvement when necessary.
The team worked well together and had the shared goal of providing a good service to people who used the service.
The service worked well with external professionals, and other organisations to provide good quality care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The service was registered with us on 28/09/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned 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.