Archived: NAS Community Services (Kingston)

Updated 10 May 2019

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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team:

This inspection was conducted by one inspector.

Service and service type:

The service is a ‘domiciliary care agency’ providing care to people housed under supported living arrangements (supported living houses). People with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder or sensory impairment use the service.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.

Notice of inspection:

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection because we wanted to make sure someone would be at the services office to see us.

Inspection site visit activity started on 5 April 2019 when we visited the office location to see the manager and office staff and to review care records and policies and procedures. On 8 April 2019 we visited people who lived in the supported living service.

What we did:

Our inspection was informed by evidence we already held about the service.

We asked the service to complete a 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.

We spent time with the two people using the service to observe interaction between people and staff. We spoke with the registered manager, the deputy manager and four care staff. We also spoke with a relative to ask for their views on the service. We looked at the care records of the two people who used the service and four staff files and other records relating to the management of the home.

Updated 10 May 2019

About the service:

NAS Community Services (Kingston) is a small service, based in the Royal Borough of Kingston, which provides people with personal care and support. The service specialises in caring for adults who have a learning disability and/or are on the autism spectrum. There were two people using the service at the time of this inspection who lived in supported living accommodation in the community. Supported living is where people live independently in specifically designed or adapted accommodation, but need some help and assistance to do so. People’s support is funded by the local authority.

People’s experience of using this service:

• At this inspection the service met the characteristics of Good in all areas.

• People received safe care and support. The provider had systems in place to manage safeguarding concerns and staff were appropriately trained in this area.

• People were safe from harm because appropriate risk assessments had been carried out with regard to activities people took part in as well as the safety of the premises.

• Sufficient numbers of staff were employed and worked in the service so that people’s needs were met.

• People were safely supported with their medicines and general health.

• Care staff had received training to enable them to carry out their role effectively.

• Care staff were supported by their management team to do their job.

• People had good relationships with care staff who protected their rights to lead as normal a life as possible. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible.

• The service had policies and management systems which supported and ensured good care practice.

• Relatives told us they felt people were safe and well cared for in the house. People living in the house were unable to provide detailed verbal feedback but were able to indicate that they felt comfortable and at ease with staff.

• We found where people lacked capacity that the appropriate authorisations were in place with regard to lasting power of attorney.

• People accessed health care services when needed and records were maintained in relation to each person’s health, appointment visits and medicines.

• People were supported to take part in activities of interest and their preferences, likes and dislikes were known to staff.

• The provider had a complaints procedure which relatives were aware of, although the service had an open-door policy which welcomed informal discussions and conversations whenever needed.

Rating at last inspection

At our last inspection of 21 February 2017 the service was rated “Good”.

Why we inspected:

• This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.

Follow up:

• We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk