Background to this inspection
Updated
20 May 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.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in a number of ‘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.
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 a short period notice of the inspection because some of the people using it could not consent to a home visit from an inspector. This meant that we had to arrange for a ‘best interests’ decision about this.
Inspection activity started on 28 April 2021 and ended on 29 April 2021. We visited the office location on 28 April 2021.
What we did before the inspection
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
We visited one household which supported one person who was received personal care and spoke to two staff members who supported the person. We spoke with one person’s relatives about their experience of the care provided. We also spoke with the provider, registered manager as well as an additional two staff members and received feedback from two professionals.
We reviewed a range of records including people’s care records and medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.
Updated
20 May 2021
About the service
Within Reach is a supported living service providing personal care to people who may live in single or shared occupancy households with their own tenancy agreements.
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
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.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. We found that people received care which was focused on their support needs and in their best interest with the aim to achieve their personal goals and levels of independence. Staff supported people in a kind and friendly manner and ensured people’s human rights and dignity was always protected. The values and culture of service was open, inclusive and empowered people to make choices about their lives and explore new opportunities.
People had been encouraged to try out new activities at their own pace and supported to become more independent in carrying out daily household tasks. Pictorial and photographic information showed people’s interests, food choices and their achievements.
People had been comprehensively assessed to ensure the service could meet their needs. Information about how staff should support people and their likes and dislikes were in place. Risk management plans and how staff should respond to changes in people’s needs had been identified and recorded.
People received their medicines as prescribed. Alternative strategies to support people were used before the administration of ‘as required’ medicines.
Suitable numbers of well recruited and trained staff were available to support people. Person specific training had assisted staff in understanding people’s support requirements and their personal goals. People were encouraged to have control and choice about their day. Photographic information helped them understand their activity schedule.
People were supported to eat a healthy balanced diet and access relevant health care services. We observed staff treating people with kindness and in a dignified and respectful manner.
Effective quality assurance systems were in place to manage and monitor the quality of care being delivered. The managers and seniors led by example and provided staff with support and guidance. Staff and people’s relatives praised the effectiveness of the management team.
The provider valued feedback from staff, people, relatives and other stakeholders. They were open to learn and reflect on their practices to improve the service people received.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us in May 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This service had not been inspected since their registration in May 2020, therefore, this inspection was carried out to gain assurances about the quality of care and systems used to monitor and manage 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.