Creative Support - Morecambe Service

Updated 3 March 2021

The inspection

This was a targeted inspection to check on specific concerns we had about the management of risk and allegations of abuse.

As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.

Inspection team

One inspector carried out the inspection.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats. This service also provides care and support to people living nine ‘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

This inspection was announced. We gave a short period notice of the inspection because some of the people using the service could not consent to a home visit from an inspector. This meant that we had to arrange for a ‘best interests’ decision about this.

What we did before the inspection

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 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. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spent time with three people who used the service so we could observe their experience of the care provided. We spoke with five members of staff including the registered manager, regional manager, supported living manager and two support workers.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at three staff files in relation to recruitment and a variety of records related 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.

Updated 3 March 2021

About The service

Creative Support (Morecambe Service Learning Disability) supports people who have a learning disability or mental health needs in their own home. Support is provided through domiciliary care home visits and through the provision of supported living services. At the time of the inspection visit the service provided support to 37 people in supported living settings and 25 people from the domiciliary service.

The service had 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.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

People were protected from the risk of abuse and kept safe by staff who were trained to protect them. The registered manager recorded and audited any incidents and accidents and learnt from them. Staff continued to be recruited safely and sufficient numbers of staff supported people in the community and supported houses Staff confirmed this when spoken with. Medicines were managed safely by trained staff. Infection control systems and audits continued to be in place to support staff when delivering personal care.

The registered manager ensured staff received an effective induction and training programme that was continually updated. People's needs were assessed, and care and support had been planned proactively and in partnership with them. People were happy with the support they received with meal preparation. One person who lived one of the supported houses said, “I enjoy cooking and shopping for food it is a hobby.” People received support with their healthcare needs promptly. 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.

People were positive about the service and said staff were kind, considerate and caring. People were treated with dignity and respect and were fully involved in their care planning. People's right to privacy was upheld. They told us staff were committed to support and guide them to live their lives to the full. The registered manager provided people with information about local advocacy services, to ensure they could access support to express their views if they needed to.

Activities in supported houses were varied, and people told us there were trips and holidays planned regularly. People’s communication needs had been assessed and where support was required these had been met. People knew how they could raise concerns about the service and a complaints procedure was in place.

The management team were clear about their roles and provided care which resulted in good outcomes for people who lived in the community and supported houses. They worked in partnership with a variety of agencies to ensure people’s health and social needs were met. The registered manager used a variety of methods to assess and monitor the quality of the service on a regular basis. This was to ensure Creative Support continued to evolve and improve.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 12 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating

Follow up: The next scheduled inspection will be in keeping with the overall rating. We will continue to monitor information we receive from and about the service. We may inspect sooner if we receive concerning information about the service.