22 August 2019
During a routine inspection
HF Trust Kent North DCA provides personal care to people living in their own homes and holding their own tenancy. It provides a supported living service to people who are living with a learning disability and/or autism. At the time of the inspection there were 26 people receiving personal care and support. These people lived at four addresses some of which were divided into flats and others were shared living arrangements within a large house. The shared homes had an office with a sleep-in room for staff.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
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.
Three of the services were larger homes and one supported nine people. However, the size of the service having a negative impact on people was reduced by the building design fitting into the residential area. There were deliberately no identifying signs or anything else outside to indicate it was supported living accommodation. Staff didn’t wear anything that suggested they were support staff when coming and going with people. People chose who they lived with and had meaningful relationships with their house mates.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were safe and happy in their homes and with the care and support they received. People received person centred care and support from support workers who were trained and competent. People enjoyed various activities and outings of their choosing and were enabled to have new experiences.
People were supported to stay well in line with their wishes. 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 were caring. People were respected, engaged in their support and involved in decisions around their care and support from choosing what they ate for dinner, what activities they did to having a voice in provider meetings.
The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent in all areas of their lives
The quality and safety of the service was ensured by the provider. There was a positive, high quality and caring culture in the service led by the registered manager and other managers which achieved positive outcomes for people. Support workers told us it was a good place to work and they were well supported. All feedback was positive from people, relatives, health and social care professionals, and staff for all aspects of 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 and update
The last rating for this service was Requires Improvement (published 30 August 2018) and there was one breach of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.