The Care Quality Commission
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Archived: North Somerset Short Breaks

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

23 Derham Park, Yatton, Bristol, Avon, BS49 4DZ (01934) 835968

Provided and run by:
Action for Children

All Inspections

23 March 2018

During a routine inspection

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.

07 January 2016

During a routine inspection

North Somerset Short Breaks provides personal care and support to young adults with learning disabilities who may also have additional complex needs in their own homes. The service provides support predominately to children, it also has a provision for young adults.

At the time of this inspection there was one person who received support from the service. The person received 24 hour support, this type of service is often referred to as a supported living service. A supported living service is where people have a tenancy agreement with a landlord and receive their care and support from a care provider. As the housing and care arrangements were entirely separate people can choose to change their care provider if they wished without losing their home.

The inspection took place on 07 January 2016 and was announced.

There was 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.

Relatives were happy with support arrangements provided. They told us their family member was safe and treated with respect. Professionals spoke positively about the service provided. The person was cared for by an established, motivated and well trained staff team.

Systems were in place to protect the person from harm and abuse and staff knew how to follow them. The service had systems to ensure medicines were administered and stored correctly and securely. There were enough staff available to keep the person safe and meet their needs. A recruitment procedure was in place and staff received pre-employment checks before starting work with the service.

Risk assessments had been carried out and they contained guidance for staff on protecting the person. The care plan provided information about how the person wished to be cared for and staff were aware of the person’s individual care needs. The person had access to healthcare services and were supported to attend health appointments where required.

Staff received training to understand their role and they completed training to ensure the care and support provided to the person was safe. New members of staff received an induction which included shadowing experienced staff before working independently. Staff received supervision and appraisals and told us they felt supported.

The person’s preferences were recorded and arrangements were in place to ensure that these were responded to. Staff were knowledgeable regarding the individual care needs and preferences of the person. Relatives were involved in the care planning process.

There were systems in place to receive feedback from relatives. Relatives were confident if they raised concerns these would be responded to. The service sought the views of relatives to gauge their satisfaction and make improvements to the service. The registered manager and provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service.