Background to this inspection
Updated
29 June 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.
Service and service type: This service provides care and support to people living in a 'supported living' setting, 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. The service also provided support to people living in their own homes. Not everyone using the service receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with personal care; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. For people the provider helps with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating, we also consider any wider social care provided.
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 contacted the service the day before our inspection to advise them of our site visit. This was because the service is small and we needed to be sure, the registered manager would be in. The inspection site visit took place on 15 May 2019. On the same day we visited people with their permission in their supported living service.
What we did: Providers are required to send us key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We reviewed this information together with information sent to us about events in the service to plan our inspection. We also contacted professionals including local authority commissioners and the local authority safeguarding team.
During inspection: We spoke with four people who used the service and six relatives. We spoke with six staff including the registered manager, the service coordinator, staff supervisor and care staff. We carried out observations of staff interactions with people who used the service.
We reviewed three people’s care documents and gathered information from other records held by the provider. These included audits, and accidents and incidents.
After inspection: We reviewed the evidence provided to us during the inspection.
Updated
29 June 2019
About the service: Independent Support provides personal care to people living in their own homes which included supported living settings. At the time of our inspection there were 17 people who used the service.
People’s experience of using this service: People and their relatives felt safe using this service. They told us they had high levels of confidence in the staff and were very complimentary about the caring nature of staff. Staff provided significantly high levels of care and support to people.
The service was exceptionally well-led by managers who were motivated to put people at the heart of the service. People and their relatives were highly complimentary about the registered manager. There were extremely effective governance systems in place. The registered manager and the deputy manager were open to new learning and continuously improving the service.
Professionals found the service was highly skilful in partnership working. As a result of the significant partnership working people’s care needs were effectively met. There were enough staff employed by the service to meet people’s needs.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence.
Pre-employment checks were carried out before staff began working in the service. Staff were supported using induction, training and supervision. Staff training included a range of subjects to meet people’s needs including medicines administration and food hygiene. Additional support was provided by the registered manager via an on-call service to staff and relatives.
People were protected from harm by staff who understood what they needed to do if they had any safeguarding concerns. People’s personal risks had been identified and steps put in place to avoid harm.
The provider had systems in place to monitor the service including accidents and complaints.
Staff provided appropriate support to people and did not discriminate against them. They enhanced the quality of people’s lives by assisting them to develop confidence and new skills.
Care plans were updated each week as required and provided the necessary guidance to staff to ensure people received the best of care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection: Good (Last report published December 2016).
Why we inspected: This inspection was carried out in line with our inspection scheduling.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor the service through the information we receive and discussions with partner agencies. Our next inspection will be carried out in line with our inspection scheduling unless information of concern comes to light. Should concerns arise we may bring forward our next inspection.