Archived: The Next Step Trust

Updated 19 May 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.

Before the inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service including statutory notifications and contacted relevant agencies. The provider was last asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) in February 2018. 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.

This comprehensive inspection took place on 17 and 18 April 2018 and was announced. One adult social care inspector carried out the inspection. On 17 April we visited the domiciliary care office and spoke with relatives and staff. On 18 April we spoke with additional staff on the telephone.

During the visit to the office we met both people who used the domiciliary care service because they were attending the provider’s day centre. They were unable to tell us about their experience of the service they received from The Next Step Trust so we spoke with relatives who were their main carers. We spent time looking at documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed both people’s care plans. We also spoke five members of staff and the registered manager.

Updated 19 May 2018

The Next Step Trust is a domiciliary care service. It provides personal care to people living in their own home. It provides a service to adults with learning disabilities who attend their day centre. At the time of the inspection two people were receiving a service.

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 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.

.

This inspection took place on 17 and 18 April 2018 and was announced which meant the provider knew we would be visiting.

A registered manager was 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.

Everyone we spoke with was confident the service was safe. Systems were in place to make sure risk was assessed and managed. Staffing arrangements were appropriate and ensured people received care from a consistent workforce. Staff did not administer tablets or liquid medication but they did apply prescribed topical creams. People did not have care plans for this aspect of care but once we brought it to attention of the registered manager they took prompt action to rectify this.

Staff received training and supervision which ensured they understood their role and responsibilities. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. People’s nutritional and health needs were met by the main carers. Staff at The Next Step Trust passed on relevant information to ensure any health issues were managed.

People’s care records were person centred. Staff knew people very well and staff told us this contributed to the high standard of service people received. Relatives were complimentary about the service provided by the Next Step Trust and told us the standard of care was very good. They told us all staff were kind and caring.

People’s care was planned and delivered in a way that met their needs. Relatives we spoke with said they did not have any concerns about the service and would feel comfortable raising any issues with the support workers or the management team.

The service was well led. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the day to day running of the service as well as their overall legal responsibilities. They were supported by an effective management team. The provider had systems in place to monitor the quality of the service and people were encouraged to share their views to help drive improvement.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.