Background to this inspection
Updated
9 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 one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, 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
This inspection was announced.
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.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection
During the inspection
People were unable to share their experiences of their care and support at the service due to their learning disabilities. We spoke with two members of staff and the registered manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service were reviewed.
After the inspection
We spoke with two relatives to gain their feedback on the service.
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.
Updated
9 November 2019
About the service
This service provides care and support for up to eight people living in a ‘supported living’ setting so that they can live as independently as possible.
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.
The service is a spacious supported living setting where people have their own flats with communal areas to use should they wish. Staff were seen wearing everyday clothing that didn’t identify them as care staff when coming and going with people. The service was registered for the support of up to eight people. Seven people were using the service at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe and protected from abuse by staff that understood how to protect people and report their concerns.
Potential risks to people were assessed and measures put in place to mitigate these. If accidents or incidents occurred, staff took action to reduce the risk of similar incidents happening again.
There were enough staff on each shift to meet people's needs and keep them safe.
The provider's recruitment procedures helped ensure only suitable staff were employed.
Medicines were managed safely, and staff maintained appropriate standards of hygiene and infection control.
People had their needs assessed and plans were put in place to meet them. The service was adapted to meet individual needs. Staff had an induction and received on-going training and the support they needed to carry out their roles.
People were supported by a consistent staff team who knew them and their needs well.
Staff worked effectively with each another and engaged other agencies about people's needs. People had their health needs met and support from health professionals was sought as required.
People were supported to have 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 principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance ensure people with a learning disability and or autism who use a service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best outcomes that include control, choice and independence. At this inspection the provider had ensured they were applied.
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.
People were communicated with effectively and were involved in planning their care. Staff encouraged people to make choices about their care and respected their decisions. Staff treated people with respect and maintained their dignity when supporting them.
People were supported in a person-centred way and were provided with a variety of opportunities to go out and take part in activities.
The registered manager knew people and staff well and had a positive attitude towards making improvements in people's lives. The quality of the service was checked on a regular basis and the provider sought ways to learn and make changes and improvements.
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 18 April 2017)
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.