Options for Supported Living

Updated 16 August 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. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

Options for Supported Living has offices based in Liverpool city centre. The service provided support to people living in the Wirral, Liverpool and Sefton area.

The service provides care and support to people living their own homes, 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 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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with five people who used the service about their experience of the care provided and two relatives. We spoke with the organisational innovation manager, development manager and four support workers.

We undertook two home visits, so we could observe the delivery of care and talk to people in their own homes. We also looked at the support documentation kept in people’s homes.

We reviewed a range of records. This included eight people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We visited two people in their own homes and spoke with three members of staff. We spoke with three people on the telephone. We also spoke with two professionals who had regular contact with the service.

Updated 16 August 2019

About the service

Options for Supported Living is a supported living service offering care and support to people living within their own homes. The service supports children and adults, most of whom live with a learning disability and/or autism. 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. 96 people were being supported with personal care at the time of our inspection.

The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

At our last inspection we rated the service Good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good for the safe, effective and caring domains. There has however been a change of rating for the service to Outstanding based on our findings for the responsive and well-led domain.

The culture of the service ensured the provision of support as individual as the person receiving it. Management and staff displayed a clear vision and, consistent values in relation to the provision of care and support. People were supported and empowered by staff to control their own lives and live a life which was meaningful to them.

People were treated with the utmost dignity, respect and empathy and empowered to make choices to live a life of their choosing.

People had a say in who they wanted to support them, and took an active part in staff recruitment processes. Staff completed a thorough induction and undertook regular training to meet the requirements of their role. Some staff had undergone additional training to meet the specific needs of the people they supported.

Care and support requirements were recorded in a truly person-centred way, with strong emphasis on how people wished and needed to be supported. Staff fully involved people and/or relatives with support plans and reviews. People were actively encouraged to make decisions about how their support was provided and staff were respectful and understanding of people’s rights and choices.

Support plans and risk assessments were detailed, reflected people’s individual needs, preferences, daily routines, and were regularly reviewed to ensure the most up-to-date information was available for staff to follow. People's individual communication needs were recorded and understood, and information provided in a format appropriate for them, which meant they could participate fully.

People participated in activities and occupations of their choice. Staff encouraged people to lead healthy and active lifestyles and supported people in trying new things. People were supported and encouraged to maintain contact with friends and relatives and be a part of their local community.

People and their relatives were very complimentary regarding the supportive and caring nature of the staff team. Staff went out of their way to build up close supportive relationships with the people they supported, that were based on trust and the promotion of people’s independence and self-worth.

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.

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

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.

People were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. Clear policies and procedures were in place, staff had received training and felt confident to raise any concerns they had.

Medication was managed safely. Staff had access to medicines policies and procedures as well as best practice guidelines.

The service had a designated health lead with vast experience of supporting people with learning disabilities. They worked closely with other health professionals to ensure the delivery of effective care.

People’s privacy and dignity was respected, and their independence promoted. Without exception, relatives spoke positively about the staff and management team.

People, relatives and staff views were regularly sought. The service often implemented change as a direct result of people’s feedback.

The service used innovative methods, such assistive technology, to help improve the quality of people’s lives.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (report published January 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

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.