Background to this inspection
Updated
17 September 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
This inspection was carried out by three inspectors. An Expert by Experience also assisted by carrying out telephone calls to gather feedback from people supported by the service and their relatives. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in ‘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 to ensure the registered manager would be in the office to assist with the inspection and that people supported would be available to speak with us.
Inspection activity started on 10 June 2021 and ended on 11 June 2021. We visited the office location on 10 June 2021 and visited people in their homes. We made telephone calls to people supported and their relatives on 11 June 2021.
What we did before 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with seven people supported by the service and six people’s relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with 12 members of staff including the registered manager, compliance manager, team leaders and support workers.
We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s support plans and multiple medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision and appraisal records. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were also reviewed.
Updated
17 September 2021
About the service
Liverpool City South Branch Office is a supported living service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. The service supports people who have a learning disability and/or mental and physical health needs. At the time of our inspection the service supported 72 people.
People lived in a variety of properties, which were in keeping with neighbouring properties and had access to local amenities and transport. Communal areas of people’s homes were shared but all had their own bedrooms.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People and relatives felt safe with the staff. One person said, “I depend on my carers and I feel very safe with them.” There were systems in place to safeguard people from the risk of abuse and staff took appropriate action when any such concerns arose. People had personalised risk assessments and staff knew the people they were supporting well, including how to support people safely and effectively. People received their medicines safely. However, we have made a recommendation about improving record keeping relating to medicines administration.
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.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture. People were supported to live as independently as possible and make their own choices. People’s care was person-centred and promoted their dignity. Staff had a positive attitude and supported people to lead inclusive and empowered lives.
People and relatives told us staff supported people to live as independently as possible and they treated them with dignity and respect. Comments included, “I love my carers. They are a great support and they know when I need my private space. They make me feel at ease” and “They do treat [Relative] with respect. They always want to know his opinion and involve him in decision making.”
People’s care plans were person-centred and detailed. People and their relatives were involved in the care planning and review process, ensuring people received the right support in line with their choices. Staff supported people to develop and maintain relationships with friends and loved ones, including going out into their local community to enjoy social activities and learn new skills.
People and relatives told us the service was well-led and staff communicated well with them. One relative said, “This organisation and their staff are terrific. I could not fault them. The staff are so kind and caring and they all get along so well together too.” There was a positive and caring culture amongst staff at the service. People and relatives spoke positively about how staff involved them. One relative commented, “We are part of the care meetings to discuss [Relative’s] needs and they are regularly reviewed. We always get our opinions heard.”
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 11/10/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on our approach to inspecting newly registered services.
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.