Independent Lifestyle

Updated 10 July 2019

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

Our inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in two ‘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.

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. 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 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. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, deputy manager, senior care workers and care workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four 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 looked at training data and quality assurance records.

Updated 10 July 2019

About the service

Independent Lifestyle is a supported living scheme providing personal care support to people with learning disabilities and complex needs. This service provides care and support to people living in three 'supported living' settings, so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. At the time of this inspection the service provided care for a total of 19 people. People's care and housing were provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.

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 ensured that people who used the service could live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflected the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that included control, choice, and independence. People using the service received planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that was appropriate and inclusive for them.

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

People who used the service were protected from the risk of harm and abuse. There were effective systems and processes in place to minimise risks to people. A safeguarding policy was in place and there were systems to ensure proper and safe use of medicines. Care plans included risk assessments covering a range of areas and there were measures to reduce the risk. Care workers had been recruited safely. Appropriate checks had been carried out.

People's needs had been assessed before they started to use the service. They were supported to have their assessed needs met by care workers with the right skills and knowledge. They 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 supported to access healthcare services they needed. There was evidence of recent appointments with healthcare professionals.

People were treated and supported with respect. The service was aware of people’s cultural and religious needs. It provided support that met these needs. The service respected and promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence. We discussed with the registered manager to find creative ways for people to have more control over their own medicines where possible.

People’s care plans were based on comprehensive assessments of their needs. Their communication needs were met. The service identified and recorded how people wished to communicate and if they had any communication needs.

People told us the service was well-led. There were clear management structures in place. Care workers were clear about their own roles and those of the managers. The registered manager was knowledgeable about issues and priorities relating to the quality and future of the service. There were a range of data gathering systems and processes for the purposes of improving the service.

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 15 November 2016).

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.