About the service Cheshire and Manchester Branch Office known to people using the service and staff as AFG (Alternative Futures Group), is a supported living service providing personal care to people who live in their own homes across Cheshire and Manchester.
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. At the time of the inspection, a total of 122 people were receiving support with personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We have made a recommendation about recording and reporting in regards to people’s health.
People felt safe with staff, who had the appropriate training and skills to provide care safely and effectively. The provider had systems in place to ensure people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.
Risks to people were assessed and regularly reviewed. Staff understood the actions needed to minimise the risk of potential harm including the prevention of infection.
Safe recruitment practices were followed, and appropriate checks completed to ensure that only suitable staff were employed. There was an ongoing process of staff recruitment to ensure people were supported safely and effectively. Staff received an induction and were supported through a programme of regular supervision and training.
People, relatives and health and social care professionals spoke positively about the service provided. People received personalised care which was responsive to their individual needs. Staff had a good understanding of the care and support people needed and provided this with kindness, care and compassion, whilst respecting their privacy and dignity.
People and their significant others were involved in their care and consulted when planning and agreeing their support needs. Effective working partnerships with other agencies and health and social care professionals had been formed.
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.
People had individual tenancies in their own home or small home with others. Staff worked in a way which promoted people's independence. People confirmed their privacy and dignity was respected. Support plans were person centred and ensured the person or significant other, was involved in the development and review of their plan as far as possible. People were supported to make choices and live the life they chose.
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 01/10/2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection as per our inspection programme.
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.