Archived: Living Independently Staffordshire - South Staffordshire

Updated 7 December 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 visit took place on the 14 and 15 November 2016 and was announced. The provider was given 48 hours’ notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we wanted to make sure staff were available to speak with us. The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

We checked the information we held about the service and the provider. This included notifications the provider had sent to us about significant events at the service and information we had received from the public. We used this to formulate our inspection plan.

The provider had 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.

We used a range of different methods to help us understand people’s experiences. We made telephone calls to three people who used the service. We also sent out questionnaires to people who used the service and used this information to make a judgement about the service.

We spoke with three members of care staff and the registered manager. We looked at care records for four people to see if their records were accurate and up to date. We also looked at records relating to the management of the service including quality checks.

Updated 7 December 2016

We inspected this service on 14 and 15 November 2016. This was an announced inspection and we telephoned the service 48 hours prior to our inspection in order to arrange home visits and telephone interviews with people. This was the first inspection since the service registered in October 2013. Living Independently South Staffordshire is a short term reablement service for people living in the South Staffordshire area. The service supports people to maximise or regain their independence following a period of illness or hospital admission. The support is provided within a person's own home and was available seven days a week between 7am and 10pm. At the time of the inspection 24 people were being supported by the service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 supported in a safe way and staff knew how to recognise and report potential abuse. When risks to people had been identified staff had the information available and knew how to support people to keep them safe. People were supported by staff that had training and an induction that helped them to offer support. There were enough staff available to meet people’s needs. The provided completed checks to ensure staff were suitable to work with people in their homes. There were systems in place to ensure people received their medicines as prescribed.

Staff showed an understanding of how to support people who lacked capacity to make certain decisions and understood the importance of gaining consent from people.

People felt involved with planning and reviewing their care. They had the opportunity to complete questionnaires on the service. When areas of improvements had been identified action was taken and changes made. There was a complaints procedure in place and people knew how to complain. When needed people were supported to make referrals to healthcare professional. Support was available to assist people with eating and drinking. People were encouraged to be independent and their privacy and dignity was upheld. People were encouraged to pursue their hobbies and interests.

People were happy with the service they received and the staff that supported them. Staff felt supported and listened to by the registered manager and they understood their responsibilities around registration with us. The provider completed audits on the quality of the service and when needed we saw action was taken to drive improvements.