Chrysalis Holidays

Updated 12 January 2019

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This was a comprehensive inspection carried out by one adult social care inspector. The inspection took place on 19, 21 November and 12 December 2018 and was announced. The registered provider was given notice as we needed to be sure that someone would be available during our visit.

We checked the information that we held about the service and the registered provider. This included statutory notifications sent to us by the registered manager about incidents and events that had occurred at the service. I notification is information about important events which the registered provider is required to send us by law.

We looked at four staff recruitment and training files, five care plans and risk assessment files, medicines management systems and other records that related to the management of the service.

We spoke by telephone with two people and five relatives of people that are supported by the service.

Updated 12 January 2019

This inspection was carried out on 19, 21 November and 12 December 2018 and was announced.

Chrysalis Holidays provides supported holidays domestically and overseas for adults with learning disabilities. All holidays are led by an experienced manager and the activities are undertaken by qualified professionals where appropriate. The service is managed from an office located in Newton le Willows.

The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers they are registered persons. Registered persons have a legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

At the last inspection published in November 2017 we found that there were a number of improvements needed in relation to support, training and supervision, also quality audit systems had not identified areas for improvement. These were breaches of Regulation 18 and 17 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.

Following the last inspection, we asked the provider to complete an action plan to show what they would do and by when to improve the key questions of Effective and Well-led to at least good. The provider sent us an action plan that specified how they would meet the requirements of the identified breaches.

This inspection was undertaken to check the required improvements had been made. We found that the registered provider was meeting all the legal requirements.

The registered provider had audit systems in place that were regularly and consistently undertaken. The audit system identified areas of good practice along with areas highlighted for development and improvement.

People and their relatives spoke positively about the activities that had been undertaken during their holidays. People had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities of their choice.

The registered provider had safe recruitment practices in place. All staff had completed an induction at the start of their employment and undertaken shadow shifts with an experienced team member. Essential training was consistently completed along with refresher training when required in accordance with good practice guidelines. Staff received support through supervision and team meetings. Staff told us they felt well supported.

People's needs were assessed before they commenced any holidays with the service. This information was used to create care plans and risk assessments specific to the individual. These documents included clear guidance for staff on how to meet people's individual needs. People's needs that related to age, disability, religion and other protected characteristics were considered throughout the assessment and care planning process.

Staff demonstrated a good understanding of safeguarding and had all received training. Staff felt confident to raise any concerns they had and believed they would be acted upon promptly by the management team. The registered provider had safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

People had developed positive relationships with the staff that supported them during their holidays. Privacy and dignity of people was respected and people's independence was promoted through documentation.

Medicines were managed safely in accordance with best practice guidelines. There were medicines policies and procedures in place, staff that managed people's medicines had all received training and had their competency regularly assessed.

People were complimentary about the food and drink they had during their holidays. They told us they were always offered choice and supported as required.

The Care Quality Commission as required by law to monitor the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 and report on what we found. We saw the registered provider had policies and procedures available for staff to follow in relation to the MCA. Staff demonstrated a basic understanding of this and had all completed training.

Feedback from people and their relatives was consistently sought following every holiday and used to identify new holiday ideas as well as areas for development and improvement.

There was a clear complaints policy and procedure in place available in accessible formats. Relatives told us they felt confident to raise any concerns and thought they would be promptly acted upon.

Policies and procedures were available to staff to offer them guidance within their role and employment. These were regularly reviewed and updated by the registered provider.