We carried out a review of the data available to us about NAS Community Services (Kent) on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about NAS Community Services (Kent), you can give feedback on this service.
About the service
NAS Community Services (Kent) is a supported living service providing personal care to one person at the time of the inspection.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People’s body language indicated they were relaxed and at ease in their home. People were supported by a small team of consistent staff, who knew them well. This was particularly important to autistic people who became anxious if there were unplanned changes to their daily routines. People benefitted from being supported by staff who knew how to communicate effectively with them.
There had been a lack of consistency in how well the service was managed. Staff had not received regular management support and quality checks had not been undertaken in line with the provider’s policy. The new management was working towards addressing these shortfalls. They had established a positive culture where staff felt supported and relatives’ views were heard. However, we found some additional areas for improvement in records relating to people’s medicines, incidents and goals. These were addressed after the inspection.
People’s quality of life was enhanced through links between people’s family and staff. They regularly consulted about people’s health, social and emotional well-being. Activities were arranged around people’s preferred routine and interests.
Staff had received training which reflected the individual needs of the people they supported. This included training in learning disability, autism and recognising and reducing people’s anxieties. Relatives told us people were safe, settled and comfortable with staff and their anxieties had reduced as a result.
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.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support: People’s days were structured around their needs. Staff communicated with people in ways that met their needs. People were supported by staff to choose and take part in activities which interested them. People benefitted from a stimulating environment which had been decorated according to their personal taste.
Right care: People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. People could communicate with staff because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. There were enough appropriately skilled staff to meet people’s needs and keep them safe.
Right culture: Staff placed people’s wishes, needs and rights at the heart of everything they did. Staff turnover was very low, which supported people to receive consistent care from staff who knew them well. Staff evaluated the quality of support provided to people, involving the person, their families and other professionals as appropriate.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 7 October 2020 and this is the first inspection. The supported living service was previously registered with the same provider at a different location.
Why we inspected
We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support right care right culture. This is the service’s first inspection since registering with the Care Quality Commission.