- Homecare service
The Oaklea Trust (Durham & Northumberland)
Report from 13 August 2024 assessment
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Date of assessment 14 August to 15 October 2024. The Oaklea Trust (Durham and Northumberland) provides supported living for people with a disability and/or autism. There were 55 people using the service at the time of this assessment. A responsive assessment was carried out due to risks identified in relation to safeguarding and governance. The assessment commenced with a site visit on 14 August 2024 and ended on 15 October 2024. We found breaches of regulation relating to safeguarding, mental capacity and governance. Although we found examples of positive and proactive support delivered by caring and dedicated staff, we also found shortfalls. Processes were in place to manage safeguarding concerns, staff understood safeguarding and how to report this. However, there had been some safeguarding concerns raised and we could not be assured the provider had acted appropriately to reduce risk. We did not find evidence that people had been harmed, but there was the potential people were not kept safe. People were supported to live full lives and made everyday decisions about their care. However, where people lack capacity to make decisions, these must be made following the Mental Capacity Act 2005, associated Code of Practice, and in their best interests. We found that these decisions were not documented, and staff did not have knowledge or guidance around these. Some decisions had been made by or with other agencies, but outcomes were not recorded. Staff did not know if Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) were in place, or if these had been applied for, and what this meant in terms of people’s support. The provider had governance systems in place which supported improvement and development, but they had not identified issues with safeguarding, MCA, recruitment and inconsistencies in financial practices found at this assessment. We have asked the provider for an action plan in response to the concerns found at this assessment.
People's experience of this service
Feedback from people and relatives was positive. Some people had limited verbal communication, we observed them interacting with staff, and saw positive interactions. The people we spoke with told us they were happy with the care they received. They felt staff were kind and caring. People told us they were supported to be independent and to do things of their choosing. One person told us, “I really love it here. I think my home is great and I can do a lot of things for myself which I love.” Relatives felt people were safe and well supported. A relative told us, “I feel [family member] has been very well looked after there. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate that he is where he is and the way he's looked after”. People and relatives told us they could speak with staff and the manager about any concerns and there was good two-way communication. While people and relatives we spoke with expressed that they were happy with the care and support, our assessment found that the provider was not always meeting the expected standards.