3 February 2016
During a routine inspection
At the time of our inspection visit the service was supplying care and support to four people who were in supported living accommodation. The services offices were within the building of the supported accommodation but separate to it.
There was a registered manager in post. 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 told us that they felt safe with the staff providing their support. There was good suitable information to support people to remain safe and to report any concerns. Staff were aware of the need to report any safeguarding concerns and there were good whistle-blowing systems in place.
Risks to people’s health and well-being were identified and detailed instructions were available to staff to minimise these risks. Staff were recruited appropriately and staff and people told us there were sufficient numbers of staff to meet people’s needs day to day. Staff supported people to take their medicines helping to keep them safe and well.
Staff working in this service understood the health and social care needs of the people for whom they provided care. People told us that staff supported them appropriately, however the provider was unable to show that there were sufficient appropriately trained staff at all times.
The registered manager and staff we spoke with understood the need to protect people’s rights and restrictions were only placed on people by legal means. People were empowered by information about their rights, including the right to refuse treatment, and what attitudes and behaviours they should expect from staff.
People were supported with their health care appointments when wanted and information was available to health professionals. People were involved in planning their care and making choices about their leisure time and recently had been involved in supporting other people in the community.
There was evidence that the registered manager had acted upon feedback from individual people who used the service and there were regular opportunities for people to express their views. The provider ensured that they acted upon recommendations from commissioners of the service. The provider arranged for the service to have an independent review and we saw that improvements had been made as a result of this review.
Although care records had improved as a result of recommendations, further work was needed to ensure that managerial records improved to aid the day to day planning.