26 January 2017
During a routine inspection
Eastbourne Community Support Service provides specialised community support to people with learning disabilities living in their own homes. The aim of the service is to promote and maintain people’s ability to live independent lives, improve their health, well-being and confidence. Eastbourne Community Support Service provides support for 60 people. At the time of the inspection eight people received support with personal care which is a regulatory activity registered by CQC. This inspection focused on the care and support provided to these eight people.
At the time of the inspection there was no registered manager at the service. However there was a manager in post and they had submitted an application to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). 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’s support was personalised to reflect their individual goals, needs and what was important to them. The manager and staff had a good understanding of the support people required, their individual needs, choices and preferences. They also knew people well as individuals, their personal histories and personalities. People’s support was developed with them and visit times were arranged at times that suited them and helped them meet their needs. People and their relatives spoke positively about the care, support and service they received.
People were involved in developing their own support plans and setting their own goals. These were reviewed regularly, people’s successes were celebrated and their changing needs were responded to. People told us staff were kind and offered comfort when they were distressed.
Risks were safely managed and staff had a good understanding of risks associated with supporting people and support plans contained appropriate information and guidance. Some people required support to take their medicines and there was guidance in place to ensure this was managed safely.
Staff understood their responsibilities in ensuring people were protected from the risk of abuse or harm and were aware of what steps to take to help people remain safe. There were enough staff with the appropriate knowledge and skills employed to support people. There were systems in place that ensured only staff were appropriately employed.
Staff understood the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and the requirements of the legislation. They understood how this related to the people they supported. People’s feedback was regularly sought, their views were listened to and acted upon.
Some people received support with their meals. Staff encouraged people to eat healthy, balanced nutritious diets of their choice.
Staff knew people well and recognised when they may need to be referred to an appropriate healthcare professional for example the GP or dentist. They supported and encouraged people to attend healthcare appointments.
The manager had developed an open and positive culture which focussed on improving the experience for people and staff. She welcomed suggestions for improvement and acted on these. Staff were supported and listened to by the manager and were clear about their responsibilities.
There was an effective quality assurance system. Audits were analysed to identify where improvements could be made and these were implemented. There was an on-going development plan for the service to ensure it continued to develop and sustain improvements made.