This inspection took place on 23 March 2016 and was announced. This meant that the registered provider was provided with notice that we would be inspecting. This was due to the service being small and we wanted to make sure staff were available. Potensial North East Supported Living - 6 High Street provide supported living and community based domiciliary services for 7 people with learning disabilities and mental health needs. The service supports people to live as independently as possible
There was a registered manager in place. 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 safely supported to access their medicines. Records were kept of administration, and medicines were securely and safely stored. Daily records were kept of medication counts and we found these to be accurate. However we did find a discrepancy with one and the registered manager said they would investigate this.
Risks associated with people’s care needs were assessed and plans put in place to minimise risk in order to keep people safe. A number of checks were carried out around the service to ensure that the premises and equipment were safe to use.
Staff understood safeguarding issues, and felt confident to raise any concerns they had in order to keep people safe.
There were sufficient staff to meet the needs of people using the service. Support and care was provided at an individual level with personal support plan agreed following thorough assessment with the involvement of the individuals and professionals involved in their support.
Staff received training to ensure that they could appropriately support people. The registered provider followed safe recruitment practices.
Staff received support through regular supervisions and appraisals. Staff felt confident to raise any issues or support needs they had at these.
Staff understood and applied the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards to ensure that people’s rights were protected. Care plans contained evidence of mental capacity assessments and best interest decisions.
People were supported to maintain a healthy diet. People who used the service took turns to cook the main meal for everyone using the service.
The service worked with external professionals to support and maintain people’s health. Staff knew how to make referrals to external professionals where additional support was needed. Care plans contained evidence of the involvement of GPs, district nurses and other professionals.
People were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. We saw many positive interactions and people felt relaxed and enjoyed talking to the staff.
Procedures were in place to support people to access advocacy services should the need arise.
Care was planned and delivered in way that responded to people’s assessed needs. Plans contained detailed information on people’s personal preferences, and people and their relatives said care reflected those preferences. Care plans were regularly reviewed to ensure they met people's current needs.
People had access to a wide range of activities, which they enjoyed either independently or during their one to one allocated hours. The registered manager and staff explored options for people who used the service.
The service had a clear complaints policy that was applied when issues arose. People knew how to raise any issues.
The registered manager was actively involved in monitoring standards and promoting good practice. Feedback was sought from people, external professionals and staff to do assist in this.