Background to this inspection
Updated
23 July 2021
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
This inspection was completed by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in their own homes using a supported living model. This enables people to live as independently as possible in their community. 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 unannounced.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since it was registered, and 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 this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with six people who used the service using video calls and four people’s relatives by telephone about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with fourteen members of staff including the registered manager; this was a mix of in person and video call conversations.
We visited the office and reviewed a range of printed and electronic records. This included two people’s care records and medication records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and support; and a variety of records relating to the management of the service.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
23 July 2021
About the service
Supported Tenancies Newborough provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes, using the supported living model. At the time of our inspection 39 people were using this service.
People lived in ordinary domestic style homes, in typical residential areas. People held a tenancy along with a small number of housemates; typically, with two other people. At the time of our inspection a maximum of four people shared a home. This promoted people living a dignified, inclusive and everyday lifestyle in their local community. People’s accommodation was separate to their care and support and was provided by a different organisation; helping to ensure people had choice and security of accommodation.
People’s support was designed to meet their assessed needs and choices. Some people needed support from staff 24hours a day; if so, staff had a designated room within their home to sleep over and provide this support. Other people received periods of support throughout the day to help them live independently.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Staff members respected and cared for the people they supported, resulting in very positive relationships between them. Staff listened to people and had a good understanding of their needs and choices. Staff did not make assumptions about people’s choices or wishes and checked people’s interpretation of things before helping them make any decisions.
There was a positive culture at the service. This helped ensure people received care and support that was safe and of a high quality. Staff were very respectful of people and held them in high esteem. People were very positive about their care and support. One person told us, “I like my home, like my food and going out. I like it, I do things when I want to do them.” Other comments included, “I enjoy my home.” “I like living here” and “I feel listened to.”
People’s care plans were written in a respectful manner. They focused on people’s experiences and feelings, using everyday language that dignified a person and promoted equality. Staff were respectful of people’s homes and their autonomy. One staff member told us, “We need to remember that we are in their home; it is their choices that we listen to… we guide but people make their own choices.”
The service provided for people was safe. There were enough suitably skilled and experienced staff available to meet people’s needs and preferences. People were safeguarded from the risk of abuse, neglect and poor care. Staff told us they would feel confident raising any concerns they may have and knew who to report concerns to, including if appropriate outside organisations.
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.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The model of care, the way staff provided care and support and the leadership of the service promoted people’s choice, community inclusion and independence.
Right support:
• People lived in ordinary domestic style homes, in typical residential areas. People lived with a small number of housemates with support from staff who were respectful of their homes and autonomy. People gave us the strong message that they felt listened to.
Right care:
• People’s diversity was celebrated; people were empowered to have a lifestyle which was meaningful to them. People’s care plans were written in a respectful manner and focused on people’s experience and feelings, using everyday language that dignified a person and promoted equality.
Right culture:
• Staff had very positive relationships with people and demonstrated they respected and cared about them. There was a positive culture at the service which helped ensure people received care and support that was safe and of a high quality. There was a consistent ethos amongst manager and staff regarding the importance of promoting people’s independence, control and dignity.
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 10/10/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection as the service had not been inspected since registration.
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.