Shalom Support

Updated 29 October 2021

The inspection

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

The inspection was carried out 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 inspection

We reviewed information we already had about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. 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 registered manager, who was also the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included multiple medicine records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including quality assurance records, were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and, two people’s care records and a variety of policies and procedures. We spoke by telephone with one person who used the service, two relatives, and two members of staff, both support workers.

Updated 29 October 2021

About the service

Shalom Support is a supported living service providing support to four people at the time of the inspection, three of whom received support with personal care. The service provided care to people in two separate properties, but the accommodation was provided by a separate landlord.

Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

People and relatives expressed satisfaction with the care and support provided. One relative said, “If I had to mark it out of 10, I would give them 10. I can’t think how it could be better. I think (person) is very happy there.”

Systems were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse. Risk assessments had been carried out to identify the risks people faced. These included information about how to mitigate those risks. There were enough staff working at the service to meet people's needs and the provider had robust staff recruitment practices in place. Medicines were managed in a safe way. Infection control and prevention systems were in place. Procedures were in place for dealing with accidents and incidents.

Assessments were carried out of people's needs prior to the provision of care to determine if their needs could be met at the service. Staff were supported through training and supervision to gain knowledge and skills to help them in their role. People were supported to eat a balanced diet and were able to choose what they ate. Staff supported people to access health care professionals. 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.

People told us staff were caring and that they were treated with respect. Staff understood how to support people in a way that promoted their privacy, independence and dignity. The service sought to meet people's needs in relation to equality and diversity.

Care plans were in place for people, which set out how to meet their needs in a person-centred way. Information was provided to people in a way that was accessible to them. Systems were in place for dealing with complaints. People were supported to engage in a variety of community based activities.

Quality assurance and monitoring systems were in place to help drive improvements at the service. People and staff told us there was an open and positive culture at the service which meant people, relatives and staff could express their views. The provider was aware of their legal obligations, and worked with other agencies to develop best practice and share knowledge.

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. The model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and independence. Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

This service was registered with us on 15/08/2019 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This service had not previously been inspected and we wanted to check that people were receiving safe care and support.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service.