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Updated 3 August 2018

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 11 June 2018 and was announced.

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection visit. This was because the provider delivers a supported care service to a number of private tenancies for people living with a learning disability who are often out during the day. We needed to be sure that they would be in.

Inspection site visit activity started on 11 June 2018. It included inspection methods such as observation, review of documentation and speaking with people and staff. We visited four tenancies on this day and also the office location to see the manager and office staff; and to review care records and policies and procedures.

The inspection team consisted of one adult social care inspector from the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Before commencing the inspection we looked at all the information we held about the service. This included any notifications that had been received, complaints, whistleblowing or safeguarding information sent to CQC and the local authority.

We used information the provider sent us in the Provider Information Return. This is information we require providers to send us at least once annually to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the course of the inspection we spoke with the registered manager, four care staff members and five people who used the service.

We spent time at the services office. We looked at five staff files, seven care records, four Medication Administration Records (MAR) charts, policies and procedures and audits.

Updated 3 August 2018

This service provides care and support to people living in 20 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; therefore this inspection only looked at people’s personal care and support.

At the time of inspection the regulated activity of personal care was carried out in 13 of the 20 tenancies, with only 24 people receiving support with their personal care requirements out of the 68 people who used the service.

At our last inspection, although we rated the service as good overall, it was rated as requires improvement in the KLOE effective, as we identified a breach of the regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. This was because staff supervision sessions had not always been carried out in a timely way. During this inspection we found improvements had been made and the service was now meeting all requirements of the regulations.

At this inspection we found evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and on-going 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.

People told us they felt safe in their own homes. Appropriate safeguarding processes were in place and staff knew how to keep people safe and raise concerns if they suspected someone was at risk of harm or abuse.

Risk assessments were in place and personalised. They highlighted possible risk of harm to a person or staff member around areas such as people's lifestyle choices or behaviours. Care plans were also tailored to people’s individual requirements and updated regularly to reflect people's changing needs.

Staffing levels continued to be appropriate and people received care in line with their preferences.

The service had a training matrix to monitor the training requirements of staff. Staff received appropriate training, supervision and appraisal to support them in their role. Appropriate documentation was maintained to confirm when these sessions had taken place.

The management of medicines was safe. Staff received training in medicines administration and the service had detailed policies to guide staff on how to ensure a person received safe support in this area.

People were supported in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). 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 support this practice.

People's consent to care and treatment was sought prior to care being delivered and they were encouraged to make decisions and choices about their care and had their choices respected.

The service continued to support people to remain as independent as possible and maintain maximum choice and control over their daily routines. This included accessing the community and employment.

People were encouraged to maintain a nutritionally balanced diet and had access to sufficient amounts to eat and drink, at times that suited them.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.