27 May 2021
During an inspection looking at part of the service
Lifeways is a national supported living scheme. Lifeways Community Care Limited (Bolton) provides support for people living in the community in 26 group home settings and caters for people with a diverse range of needs, such as learning disabilities, autism and acquired brain injuries. The office is located in Bolton.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People said they felt safe at the service. Systems were in place to address any safeguarding concerns and staff were aware of the procedures. Risks were thoroughly assessed and managed. Health and safety checks and certificates were in place and up to date.
Systems for managing medicines were safe and staff had completed appropriate training. Infection control and prevention systems were appropriate and all guidance was followed.
People were well treated and interactions with staff were friendly and relaxed. Staff supported people to reach their personal goals. There was evidence of people’s involvement and inclusion in all aspects of their care and support. People were well presented and staff supported them sensitively with personal care tasks.
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 provider responded openly and honestly to complaints and concerns. Notifications were submitted as required to CQC.
Staff were recruited safely and staffing levels were sufficient to meet people’s needs. Staff induction was thorough and training was on-going and of a good standard. Management were supportive towards staff.
The service completed a number of audits and checks to inform improvements. The service worked well with other agencies and professionals.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The model of care, with small group settings, ensured people were able to have choice and control. Care was person-centred and people’s dignity and privacy promoted. Management and staff demonstrated values and behaviours that confirmed the right culture.
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 (published 2 November 2018).
Why we inspected
We received concerns in relation to general care and treatment. As a result, we undertook a focused inspection to review the key questions of safe, caring and well-led only.
We reviewed the information we held about the service. No areas of concern were identified in the other key questions. We therefore did not inspect them. Ratings from previous comprehensive inspections for those key questions were used in calculating the overall rating at this inspection.
The overall rating for the service has remained good. This based on the findings at this inspection.
We found no evidence during this inspection that people were at risk of harm from this concern.
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.