Background to this inspection
Updated
7 May 2022
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
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
PICAS is a supported living service. This service provides care and support to people living in 10 ‘supported living’ settings, 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.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
The inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 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 the information we already held about the service. This included the last inspection report and notifications. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
During the inspection, we spoke with the registered manager, a care consultant, a team leader and six staff. We visited four supported living settings and spoke with five people. We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed three care plans, which included risk assessments. We looked at other documents such as medicine management and infection control. After the inspection, we spoke with two relatives for their feedback about the service and continued to validate further evidence we received from the provider.
Updated
7 May 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee 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.
About the service
PICAS (Pathways Independent Care and Autism Services) is a supported living service for people with mental health needs, learning disabilities and/or autism. The service can accommodate 11 people in various supported living accommodation across two London boroughs. At the time of the inspection, 10 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Right support:
¿ People told us they were safe. They and their relatives had control of how their care and support was arranged. People were supported to integrate into the local community and be as independent as possible. People lived in their own or in shared accommodation with a full range of facilities, including a garden. The accommodation types included bungalows or flats. People could personalise their home as they wished. People's quality of life was maintained through regular interaction with staff who promoted their independence and dignity. People pursued their interests and were supported to avoid social isolation by maintaining relationships with family and friends. We observed staff supporting people to go about their daily lives, such as their regular activities and routines. One person we visited enjoyed a car ride with staff. Another person we visited told us they looked forward to going to their college later in the week and see their friends.
Right care:
¿ People and staff developed positive relationships with each other. Care plans were person-centred for people to receive care that met their needs and preferences. Staff ensured people's dignity, privacy and human rights were respected. 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. Some people communicated with staff using sounds and gestures and staff understood these communication methods. People's sensory and positive behaviour support needs were understood and met.
Right culture:
¿ The values and attitudes of staff and managers enabled people to feel empowered in their daily lives. People's thoughts and feelings were considered and understood. The registered manager monitored the service to check people remained safe and well. Staff were recruited appropriately and checked they were suitable to work with people. Staff were trained to carry out their roles and received an induction upon their employment. Feedback was sought from people and relatives to help make continuous improvements to the service.
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 the service at the previous premises was Good, published on 20 December 2019.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on a review of information we held about the service.
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service, which will help inform when we next inspect.