I-grow Care and Support Limited is a supported living service that provides care and support to adults of all ages in their own homes. The service provides help with people’s personal care needs in Plymouth and surrounding areas. This includes people who may have a learning or physicaldisability as well as people living with sensory impairment and mental health needs. The service
supports some people on a 24 hour basis and others who may require support with personal care needs at specific times of the day and/or night. At the time of this inspection ten people received support with their personal care needs from the agency.
The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen
At the last inspection, the service was rated Good. At this inspection we found the service remained Good.
Why the service is rated Good.
People told us the service they received was safe. A person explained how pleased they had been to write their own support plan. They said, “I was able to tell the staff the things that are important to me, and the things that make me feel safe.” A relative told us, “They’ve listened. They followed everything I have said. They make sure it’s the right staff for her.”
Safe and thorough recruitment procedures were followed before new staff were confirmed in post. People who used the service were involved and consulted in each stage of the recruitment process. There was a low staff turnover and this meant people received a consistent service from staff they knew and trusted. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs safely.
Staff had received safeguarding training and were confident they knew how to recognise and report any safeguarding concerns. Where staff supported people to manage their finances, amounts of money spent on the person’s behalf were carefully recorded and balances maintained and checked. Medicines were administered and recorded safely.
People received a reliable service from staff they had chosen. Effective planning systems were in place to plan staff rotas. People were given a timetable letting them know who would be supporting them each week. This meant people knew which care workers would be visiting and the times of each visit. People told us they never experienced a missed visit. Staff were flexible and willing to provide support at times to suit each person. A person told us, “They are so helpful to me.”
Staff were well trained, well supported and happy in their work. A member of staff told us their recruitment and induction had been, “Amazing. Fabulous.” Staff were flexible and willing to provide support to people at times to suit the person. Staff worked closely with relatives and professionals to make sure people’s health and personal care needs were well met. Staff knew what foods people liked and disliked and foods they were unable to eat. People were supported to plan and cook healthy meals of the person’s choice. Staff understood each person’s ability and rights to make choices and decisions. Families were involved and consulted appropriately.
People continued to receive a service that was caring. People and relatives praised the staff team for their caring manner. Staff were cheerful, friendly and positive. Staff knew each person well and displayed patience, kindness and understanding. Staff understood the importance of treating each person equally, and as an adult and a valued individual. A person told us, “They are really friendly.” They went on to say, “They are there for me. They are really good at picking me up. My carers know me very well. They pitch it just right.” A relative praised the staff team and told us, “They go the extra mile.” Another relative told us, “They have a very gentle approach and are very consistent.”
People continued to receive a service that was responsive to their changing needs. Before the provider agreed to provide a service they met with the person and their family and representatives to assess the person’s needs. People were involved and consulted in drawing up a plan of their support needs. The support plans were easy to read and contained sufficient information on each person’s daily routines and how they wanted to be supported. Relatives told us people’s lives had been transformed since they began receiving support from I grow. We heard examples of how people had become much calmer and happier.
People were enabled and supported to lead fulfilling, independent and active lives. People were supported to reach their goals and ambitions. People and their relatives were confident they knew how to raise a complaint and confident any concerns would be listened to and acted upon. We heard examples of people going on holidays, going to concerts and theatre events, and participating in a range of outdoor activities.
Information was provided to people in a format suitable for their individual needs. Throughout the inspection we saw evidence of how the provider and staff understood and promoted people’s rights as equals regardless of their disabilities, backgrounds or beliefs.
People continued to receive a service that was well-led. The provider had systems in place to monitor, assess and improve the service. There was an open culture, and people, relatives and staff said they found access to the office and management team welcoming and easy. Staff were positive and happy in their jobs. There was a clear organisational structure in place.
People, families and staff were involved in every aspect of the service. Their views were sought, and their ideas and suggestions welcomed and acted upon where possible. A relative told us, “They do listen to us.” The provider worked closely with other organisations to ensure the service met current legislation and good practice recommendations.
Further information is in the detailed findings below