Background to this inspection
Updated
8 January 2020
The inspection
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the Act) as part of our regulatory functions. We checked whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act. We looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
The service did not have a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The locality manager was in the process of applying to register as the registered manager. This would ensure that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Inspection team
The inspection team consisted of two inspectors.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, so they can live as independently as possible. People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. CQC does not regulate premises used for supported living; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support.
Notice of inspection
We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the management team would be available to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
Prior to the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service. This included any feedback, concerns, investigations and notifications which the provider is required to send to us by law. We also received feedback from the local authority. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service, received feedback from three relatives and observed interactions between people and staff. We also spoke with seven staff members. These included, four care staff, the locality manager, the interim manager and the interim project director of services. With permission from people we visited their homes.
We reviewed a number of records including one care file, medication records, two staff files, safety checks and servicing certificates. We also looked at an action plan the service was working on as well as records relating to the operation and oversight of the service.
Updated
8 January 2020
About the service
L'Arche Preston is a supported living service providing personal care to seven people at the time of the inspection; living with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder, older people and younger adults.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Medicines were managed safely; individual and environmental risks had been assessed. Staff were recruited safely to the service. We observed staff supporting people during the inspection.
Records contained information about how to support people’s needs, where relevant capacity assessments had been completed. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff had the knowledge and skills to deliver effective care. We received positive feedback about the care people received and they were treated with dignity. People told us they were happy with the service. We observed kind interactions between staff and people, it was clear staff knew people’s needs well.
Care records included information about how to support people’s individual needs. Relatives confirmed they had been involved in discussions in relation to people’s care. Activities were provided to people both in their own homes as well as the local community. People’s communication needs had been considered. Systems to investigate and act on complaints had been developed.
We received positive feedback about the manager. The views of people, staff and relatives was sought. Team meetings took place. The service demonstrated the improvements and partnership working that had been taking place in the service.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (published 3 June 2017).
Follow up
We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.