Archived: Sharing Care - Community Short Breaks Scheme

Updated 6 February 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 19 December 2018 and 10 January 2019 and was announced. We gave the registered provider 48 hours' notice of the inspection visit because it is small and the manager is often out of the office supporting staff or providing care. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

We visited the office location on 19 December to see the manager; and to review care records, policies and procedures. We visited two families in their own home on 10 January 2019, to discuss and obtain feedback about the service and review associated records.

The inspection team consisted of one inspector.

We used the information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return (PIR). This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

Prior to the inspection we reviewed information we held about the service and requested feedback from other health professionals and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

During our visit to the office we spoke with the manager, the head of service, a health professional and four care staff. We did not speak directly to any children that used the service. However, after the inspection we spoke with three families about the service their children received over the telephone, and we visited two further families in their own homes.

We looked at records used to provide and record care and support for four children. The recruitment records, supervision, appraisal and training documents for four staff members were also looked at. We reviewed documents and records that related to the management of the service. This included audits, risk assessments and policies and procedures.

Updated 6 February 2019

This inspection took place on 19 December 2018 and 10 January 2019 and was announced. We gave the registered provider 48 hours' notice to ensure someone would be available at the service.

This is the first inspection for this service at their current address.

Sharing Care - Community Short Breaks Scheme is a domiciliary care service. The service provides flexible personal care and support to families with children who live with a physical disability, learning disabilities, or autistic spectrum disorder and who live in their own houses and flats in the community. The aim of the service is to provide support when families need it, at weekends, evenings and in the school holidays.

At the time of this inspection the service was providing support to eighteen children and their families.

The outcomes for children using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support; promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. For example, children's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.

Not everyone using Sharing Care - Community Short Breaks Scheme receives a regulated activity; CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’; help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

The service is required to have a registered manager in place. A manager was in post who had submitted their application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for approval. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Systems and processes were in place to help protect children from avoidable abuse. Families of children receiving the service told us they felt their children were safe from abuse and with the staff who supported them.

Enough staff supported children to meet their needs safely and in a person-centred way. There were enough staff on duty to meet people’s needs. People confirmed they received care and support from regular care workers who they knew.

Accidents and incidents were appropriately recorded and personalised risk assessments had been completed. Staff had access to information to provide children with safe care and support without unnecessary restrictions.

We found that safe recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff commenced their role.

The provider had systems and process in place to ensure staff were appropriately recruited into the service. Staff received appropriate induction, supervision, support and training to acquire and update their skills to meet people’s individual needs and fulfil their roles.

Information was produced in formats appropriate for the child and their families to understand and communicate their needs.

Consent to care and support was sought in line with legislation and guidance. The provider worked within the frameworks of The Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation to work with parents who had parental responsibility.

The provider included children and their families in discussions regarding their health and wellbeing. Any positive behaviour support plans were evaluated and included input by appropriate health professionals for effectiveness.

Staff had access to information to ensure children were supported with their health and wellbeing including any dietary requirements. The provider was developing a single point of access care plan with information for staff to follow and evaluate in one document.

Staff had a good understanding of children's needs and were kind and caring. They understood the importance of respecting children’s dignity and upholding their right to privacy.

There was information available on how to express concerns and complaints. Families were supported to raise their concerns and processes were in place to ensure these were responded to.

Children were supported to live fulfilled meaningful lives. Information was available to ensure children could access the community, events, and activities with minimal restrictions in a planned way for their maximum benefit and enjoyment.

The provider delivered the service with regard to relevant legislation. For example, The Children Act 1989 and subsequent legislation.

Staff told us they felt supported by the manager and were comfortable raising any concerns.