Archived: Choice Support (Cheshire)

Choice Support (Crewe) is a domiciliary care agency providing personal care and support to people living in their own homes including a number of supported living accommodations in the local area. At the time if the inspection of the 88 people who used the service, 48 were receiving 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.

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 told us they felt safe. Staff received training and were knowledgeable about the procedures to follow to protect people from abuse. Training was also provided to people using the service about how to keep themselves safe. Accidents and incidents were recorded with managerial oversight to identify any patterns so that measures could be implemented to prevent recurrence. Safe procedures were followed to ensure that only suitable staff were employed. People were supported to take their medicines by trained and competent staff.

People’s needs were fully and holistically assessed before they received a service. Support was individualised and effective. People were happy with the care they received and felt well supported. Staff received a wide range of training relevant to their role. The service worked with other agencies to support people to maintain their health and wellbeing.

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 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 them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Warm and friendly relationships had been developed between people using the service and staff and people were clearly comfortable in staff’s company. People were treated without discrimination and with respect. People’s privacy was respected.

Support planning was individualised, person-centred with a clear view of goals and outcomes. People led full and active lives, developed personal relationships, wider friendships and were supported to follow their interests. People’s communication needs were assessed and incorporated into support plans. There was a policy and procedure to handle and respond to complaints which was available in easy read format.

The service was well-led. There was a warm and positive culture. People, relatives and staff told us that management were approachable. The registered manager and staff spoke positively about the provider. People’s views were sought in a variety of ways including informally, during regular meetings and in quality surveys.

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

Rating at last inspection and update: This service was registered with us on 28 January 2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection.