Background to this inspection
Updated
10 August 2016
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 30 June 2016. It was announced. We gave the provider 48 hours’ notice because it is a supported living service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in.
The inspection was carried out by two inspectors. During the inspection we visited the office and two of the houses where people were supported. We spoke with two people who used the service and observed two people receiving support. We spoke with three support workers, the registered manager and the head of service. We looked at five people’s care records in total, two in detail and three to check specific information about aspects of their care and support. We looked at three staff files and other records relating to training, team meetings, health and safety and quality assurance and monitoring.
Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the provider such as notifications and any information people had shared with us. We contacted the local authority commissioning and safeguarding teams to ask them for their views on the service and whether they had any concerns. We sent questionnaires to people who used the service.
The provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
Updated
10 August 2016
The inspection took place on 30 June 2016 and was announced.
The last inspection was carried out 15 January 2014 and at that time the provider was compliant with all the regulations inspected.
The service provides personal care and support for 11 people who have a learning disability to live independently in their own tenancies. People live in three houses where they have their own bedrooms and shared communal facilities. The houses have a support worker present 24 hours a day. At the time of the inspection there were 10 people using the service.
There was a registered manager. 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.
People were safe. They were protected from abuse and the risk of abuse by staff who had received training and understood how to recognise and report any concern they might have about people’s safety and welfare. We observed people were comfortable and relaxed around staff and staff interaction with people was friendly, encouraging and caring.
The required checks were done before new staff started work and this helped to make sure people received care and support from people who were suitable to work with vulnerable adults.
There were enough staff to ensure people received the right support. Staff were trained and supported to understand people’s needs and provide appropriate care and support.
People received appropriate support to take their prescribed medicines. People were supported to live healthy lifestyles and to meet their health care needs. They were supported to access the full range of NHS services.
People’s risk assessments were completed and these covered a range of areas including accessing the community and personal safety.
The service was working in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act which helped ensure people’s rights were promoted and protected.
Staff received training about nutrition and people were encouraged and supported to make healthy choices and have a varied diet. People were supported to plan their meals, shop and cook.
People were supported to be independent and make decisions about all aspects of their day to day lives. We found staff were respectful and showed kindness and compassion in their interactions with people.
We found people received support which was tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
People were supported to take part in a wide range of leisure, education and work related activities and to develop and maintain relationships with family, friends and their peer group.
People were given information about the complaints procedures in a format which was appropriate to their needs. We found people were listened to and their concerns were acted on.
The registered manager promoted a positive culture which was person centred, inclusive and empowering.
The provider had effective systems in place to monitor and assess the safety and quality of the services provided and there was a culture of continuous improvement.