Step Forward Support

Updated 18 March 2022

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.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

The inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

Step Forward Support is a 'care home'. People in care homes receive accommodation and nursing or personal care as a single package under one contractual agreement. CQC regulates both the premises and the care provided, and both were looked at during this inspection. 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

This inspection was unannounced.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals 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 two people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with three members of staff as well as the registered manager, human resources representative and care manager.

We reviewed a range of records. This included four people's care records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment. We also looked at a variety of records relating to the management and quality assurance of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We also received feedback from three healthcare professionals.

Updated 18 March 2022

About the service

Step Forward Support is a residential care home providing personal care to people who have learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder. The service can support up to five people.

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

Systems were in place to protect people from the risk of abuse and harm.

People were comfortable, relaxed and happy around care staff and staff understood how to keep

people safe.

Staff understood who to report concerns to as well as the risks to people's health.

People's support needs were risk assessed and care plans provided staff with the information they needed to manage the identified risk.

The risks to people's health were reviewed regularly and care plans updated following any changes.

The provider carried out recruitment checks to ensure staff were suitable for the role.

Staff had the necessary skills to carry out their role. Staff had regular training opportunities and training

specific to people's individual needs was provided.

Staff had very good knowledge and understood people's health conditions and the support they required.

People received their prescribed medicines safely and in accordance with their specific guidance.

People were supported to attend appointments with healthcare professionals and guidance was sought.

Staff followed the infection control procedures the provider had in place.

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. Some people who were identified as lacking capacity did not have capacity assessment. During the inspection this was raised with the registered manager who confirmed capacity assessments would be completed for all service users who lacked capacity.

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.

This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. There was a strong focus on supporting people to be independent, develop their skills and access their local community. This enabled people who used the service to live as full as life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Right support:

• Model of care and setting maximises people's choice, control and independence

Right care:

• Care is person-centred and promotes people's dignity, privacy and human

rights

Right culture:

• Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives.

People's individual communication needs were considered to support them to be involved in their care.

Systems and processes in place promoted a positive culture in the home.

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

Rating at last inspection

This is the first rating of this service. The service was registered with us on 03 July 2020.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection as the service had not previously received a rating.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this in all care home inspections even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance that the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our reinspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.