About the service: Estuary Community Support and Supported Living Services is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum disorder living in their own houses and flats in the community. It also provides care and support to people living in five 'supported living' settings so that they can live in their own home 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.
At the time of our inspection, 47 people were using the service.
People’s experience of using this service:
• The service embraced the values that underpin the ‘Registering the Right Support’ and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen.
• Safe recruitment systems were in place. Staff received an induction to the service and on-going training, supervision, and support to enable them to effectively perform their roles and meet people’s individual care and support needs.
• Risks to people had been assessed and staff knew what to do to keep people safe from avoidable harm. Where required, people received support to take their prescribed medicines safely.
• Staff knew people well, and they were kind and sensitive to people’s needs. Positive relationships had been formed between staff and people using the service. People told us staff were friendly and helpful and treated them with dignity and respect.
• People received person centred care. A holistic approach was taken to assessing, planning and delivering care and support. Staff had access to up to date information and care and support was provided in line with people’s preferences and needs.
• Staff embraced the registered provider’s visions and values to deliver a high-quality person-centred service, helping people to continue living in their own home, maintain their independence and lead happy and fulfilled lives.
• People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
• People were supported to eat and drink enough to ensure they maintained a balanced diet. Referrals to other health professionals were made when required.
• People were actively encouraged to express their views on the service they received and be involved in the running of the service.
• There were effective quality assurance systems in place to drive continuous improvement.
Rating at last inspection: At our last inspection, the service was rated ‘Good’. Our last report was published on 9 March 2016.
Why we inspected: This was a planned inspection based on the ratings at the last inspection.
Follow up: We will continue to monitor this service and plan to inspect in line with our re-inspection schedule for those services rated Good.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk