37 Lewes Road

Updated 23 January 2020

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 a supported living setting, 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.

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 available to support the inspection.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We contacted the local authority for their feedback. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return (PIR). 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 to one person who used the service about their experiences. We spoke with six members of staff including the registered manager, regional manager, deputy manager two support workers and specialist advisor.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people's care records and three medication 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 policies and procedures were reviewed.

Updated 23 January 2020

37 Lewes Road can provide personal care for up to 10 adults living with a learning disability and mental health needs in a supported living setting. This service supports people so that they can live in their own home as independently as possible. People's care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. People live in studio flats with some shared communal facilities. There is a communal lounge, dining room and kitchen and shared laundry facilities.

Not everyone living at 37 Lewes Road received the regulated activity although they received a level of support. CQC only inspects the service being received by people provided with 'personal care. Personal care includes help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also take into account any wider social care provided. At the time of this inspection three people were receiving personal care. 37 Lewes Road is staffed over the 24 hours and has an office on site.

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

People were protected from the risks of harm, abuse or discrimination because staff knew what actions to take if concerns were identified. There were enough staff, who had been safely recruited, working to provide the support people needed, at times of their choice. Staff understood how to support people safely and risk assessments provided further guidance about individual risks. Medicines were handled safely by trained staff.

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. Staff received training and support that gave them the skills and competencies to support people effectively. Staff worked closely with health care professionals and people’s health and well-being needs were met. Peoples nutritional needs were considered and responded to.

Staff were caring and had developed positive trusting relationships with people. They treated people with respect and ensured their privacy and rights were protected. People were involved in the planning of their care and support and had an allocated key worker. Staff knew people well and understood the importance of providing individual person-centred care and supporting their independence.

People needs, and wishes were assessed and recorded. Support plans included various aspects of people's lives including life histories, their likes and dislikes and health conditions. People’s individual needs were responded to proactively. A complaints procedure was in place and people were listened to with any concern or complaint responded quickly. People had choice and control over how they spent their time and were encouraged to have active and enjoyable lives.

Staff and people were positive about the management of the service and told us the registered manager was available and approachable. The registered manager fostered an inclusive and open culture where people and staff were listened to and valued. Staff had regular meetings to discuss people's needs any changes and any suggestion for improving practice and outcomes for people. People’s voice was sought and given value and importance.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was Good (12 January 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

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