The Specialist Care Team is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people who have mental health needs and/or people with a learning disability in their own houses and flats. It operates from premises in the centre of Morecambe.This service also provides care and support to people living in four supported living settings, so they can live in their own home 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 part of the inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
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.” Registering the Right Support CQC policy
Rating at last inspection
At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.
Why the service is rated Good
The service had systems to record safeguarding concerns, accidents and incidents and take necessary action as required. Staff had received safeguarding training and understood their responsibilities to report unsafe care or abusive practices.
Risk assessments had been developed to minimise the potential risk of harm to people during the delivery of their care. These had been kept under review and were relevant to the care provided.
Staff had been recruited safely, appropriately trained and supported. They had skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and social needs. One staff member told us, “The training was good, you got the skills to support people.”
Staff responsible for assisting people with their medicines had received training to ensure they had the competency and skills required. People told us they received their medicines at the times they needed them.
The service had safe infection control procedures in place and staff had received infection control training. Staff had been provided with protective clothing such as gloves and aprons as required. This reduced the risk of cross infection.
People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
People’s care and support was planned with them. People told us they had been consulted and listened to about how their care would be delivered.
The registered manager planned visits to allow carers enough time to reach people and complete all tasks required. People told us they mostly had the same staff visit and relationships had developed. One person told us, “They are pleasant with me, when they come, and never miss a visit.”
Staff supported people to have a nutritious dietary and fluid intake. Assistance was provided in preparation of food and drinks to maintain people’s independence.
People were supported to have access to regular healthcare professionals and their healthcare needs had been met through scheduled and responsive support.
People told us staff were caring towards them. Staff we spoke with understood the importance of high standards of care to give people meaningful lives.
The service had information with regards to support from an external advocate should this be required by people they supported.
People told us staff who visited them treated them with respect and dignity.
People who used the service and their relatives knew how to raise a concern or to make a complaint. The service had kept a record of complaints received and these had been responded to appropriately.
The service used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service. These included daily service meetings, quality assurance visits and care reviews.
The registered manager and staff were clear about their roles and responsibilities and were committed to providing a good standard of care and support to people in their care.
Further information is in the detailed findings below.