Updated 16 May 2019
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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
Inspection team: The inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type: The service is a domiciliary care service and supported living service. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. This service also provides care and support to people living in 15 ‘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. It provides a service to people with learning and physical disabilities, mental health needs and acquired brain injury.
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: We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit because the manager is often out of the office. We needed to be sure that they would be in.
Inspection site visit activity started on 14 February 2019 and ended on 5 March 2019. We visited the office location on 14 February 2019 and 5 March 2019 to see the manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures. On 26 February we visited six people in shared houses being supported by staff. We made telephone calls to four people and five relatives.
What we did: Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we had about the service, including notifications and information in the Provider Information Return. This is key information that providers have to send us about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We asked other care services for their views including the local authority, health care professionals and Healthwatch.
During the inspection we spoke with 10 people and five relatives. We also spoke with the registered manager, operations manager and a range of management, senior and support worker staff. We also received four phone messages from support staff. During and after the inspection we received feedback from three care professionals.
We looked at five people's care records and six people's medicines administration records; staff recruitment, training and meeting records. Also records of complaints, incidents and quality audits.