Background to this inspection
Updated
6 May 2021
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.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in ten ‘supported living’ settings, so that 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.
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 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. 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.
During the inspection
We spoke with two people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We used the Short Observational Framework for Inspection (SOFI). SOFI is a way of observing care to help us understand the experience of people who could not talk with us.
We spoke with eight members of staff including the registered manager, a human resources staff member, three service managers a senior support worker and two support staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at electronic staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We contacted three health and social care professionals who regularly visit the service.
Updated
6 May 2021
About the service
The Thicketford Centre is a supported living service providing personal care in ten properties for adults with learning disabilities and/or a mental health condition in group supported living properties in West Salford. At the time of the inspection there were 32 people using the service. The houses had facilities for a staff member sleep-in at the houses.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
Robust systems were in place to safeguard people from harm. Staff had completed safeguarding training and demonstrated a good understanding of the issues. Risk assessments, both individual and environmental were appropriate and up to date. Required health and safety checks and documentation were in place. Medicines were managed safely and infection control procedures were in place to help prevent and control the spread of infection.
Staff were recruited safely and told us there was sufficient cover for annual leave and sickness. There was a thorough staff induction and on-going regular training for all staff.
Pre-admission assessments were thorough and care files included all relevant information, which was reviewed regularly. People’s nutritional and hydration needs were clearly documented and followed. Appropriate referrals were made to other agencies and professionals when required.
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.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right Support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
The model of care provided small households, housing compatible people with similar levels of support needs. This meant people were able to exercise the maximum amount of choice and independence. Care was person-centred and promoted dignity, privacy and human rights. The values of the provider and the management team meant the service provided an inclusive and empowering culture.
People who were able to speak with us said they were happy with the service and liked the staff. We observed staff treating people with respect and paying attention to people’s dignity. People were supported and encouraged to be as independent as possible.
People’s choices were respected and they were supported to be as involved as possible in all aspects of their daily lives and support provision. Communication needs were assessed and individual methods followed with each person. Interests and hobbies were facilitated and relationships with family and friends supported. The service supported people to engage with the wider community when appropriate.
Complaints and concerns were responded to in a timely way. Audits and checks helped ensure continuing high standards of care.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 4 June 2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection in line with our inspection programme.
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.