About the service Brandon Trust Supportive Living Oxfordshire is a supported living service providing personal care to 129 people at the time of the inspection living across 43 shared or single occupancy households.
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
People received high-quality and person-centred care from staff who were compassionate and dedicated in improving people’s lives and reach their potential. We received many positive comments about the exceptional caring nature of staff and the quality of the management who led the service. Staff were aware of the importance of providing a high standard of care. They supported people to understand changes in their physical well-being and were sensitive and caring towards people who needed emotional support.
Staff at every level were aware of their responsibility of raising and reporting any safeguarding concerns and knew how to whistle-blow. Safeguarding systems used ensured that the service was transparent, and they took opportunities to learn from incidents and take appropriate adjustments to reduce the risk to people.
An initial assessment of people’s needs was carried out to ensure staff could meet their needs. They were given opportunities to visit the household and meet the staff and other people before they transitioned into the service.
People’s personal health and emotional risks were assessed and managed well by staff who were familiar with people’s needs. A balanced approach encouraged people to understand and take action to manage their own risks such as managing their own money. Health care professionals were contacted in a timely manner when people’s needs changed to seek advice and further support.
Suitable numbers of trained staff were deployed across the service to meet people’s needs. Safe recruitment practices were used to ensure people were supported by staff who were of good character. Staff told us they felt supported in their role and trained to meet people’s needs.
Staff were trained in medicines to ensure people’s medicines were managed and administered in line with their prescription and guidance. Staff were knowledgeable in controlling the spread of infection.
People were supported to maintain a healthy diet and access health care services to maintain their personal well-being. Staff monitored people’s risks and contacted health care professionals in a timely manner to seek advice and support.
Each person had a personalised support plan. The service regularly reviewed people's needs and worked in close partnership with people, their relatives and health care professionals to make changes to people’s support requirements and care records. 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.
Feedback from health professionals about the quality of care people received and the management team was extremely positive. The management team had ensured effective and supportive systems were in place to enable a smooth transition of people and staff from another service to transition and integrate into organisation.
Robust quality assurance processes at all levels demonstrated continual monitoring and improvement of the service. The views and feedback from staff were valued and acted on and people were empowered to express their views and be involved in decisions involving them and the service. Records showed that lessons were learnt, and actions were taken when incidents, errors or near misses or complaints had occurred.
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 outstanding (published 10 August 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.