Background to this inspection
Updated
25 April 2018
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This inspection took place on 23 March 2018 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice of the visit to the office in line with our current methodology for inspecting domiciliary care agencies. The inspection team consisted of an adult social care inspector.
Before the inspection, the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We looked at the information in the PIR and also looked at other information held about the service and notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events, which the service is required to send us by law. We also obtained the views of service commissioners from the local council who also monitor the service provided by the agency.
We were unable to visit one person due to their complex needs. On the day of the inspection, we spoke with four relatives, four members of staff, the office manager and the registered manager. People were unable to tell us of their experience of receiving care. We observed interactions between people and staff in communal areas. We looked at documentation relating to three people, six staff recruitment and training records and records relating to the management of the service.
Updated
25 April 2018
This inspection took place on 23 March 2018 and was announced. The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
This service provides care and support to two people living in one 'supported living' setting, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible and two people who live with their families in the 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 registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are 'registered persons'. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
At the last inspection in January 2016, the service was rated Good. At this inspection, we found the service remained Good.
Risks were well managed. People were encouraged to be independent and to take everyday risks. Risk assessments were in place to cover various aspects of people's daily lives, which included guidance for staff on how to manage identified risks.
Relatives told us they were extremely happy with the service provided.
Sufficient experienced staff were deployed to ensure people's needs were met.
People were supported by staff that were trained to carry out their roles effectively. Staff received mandatory training as well as training, which was tailored to the needs of those they supported.
An effective recruitment and selection process was in place. All staff received an induction and an on-going programme of supervision and appraisal. Staff felt very supported.
Staff were very knowledgeable about the people they supported, their likes and dislikes and interests.
Appropriate arrangements were in place for the safe administration and storage of medicines.
Systems were in place, and had been followed to reduce any risks of abuse and harm. Staff told us they would be confident to raise any concerns they had and they would be acted upon.
Accidents and incidents, although very few, were accurately recorded and reported and any lessons learned were shared with staff.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People's rights were protected by staff who under stood the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and how this applied to their role.
Relatives and people were involved in the planning of their care. Information was provided in easy read format to assist people in understanding the care available to them.
The provider had an effective complaints procedure in place and relatives were aware of how to make a complaint.
People were supported in maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. People were involved as much as they were able in the choice and preparation of meals.
People were supported to maintain good health and had access to health and social external
professionals.
Activities were developed around people's interests. People were supported to maintain relationships and access the local community.
Staff felt supported by colleagues, they said they felt valued by the registered manager and higher management and morale was high.
The provider understood the importance of monitoring the quality of the service and reviewing systems to identify any lessons learnt.
The service consulted with people, relatives and staff to capture their views about the service.