About the service The Brothers of Charity Services – Greater Manchester Services provides support to people living in their own homes who need additional support due to learning difficulties, physical disability, mental health needs, drug and alcohol addiction and hoarding. The service currently supports 65 people in the Bury, Rochdale and Stockport areas. Of those only 21 people receive the regulated activity of personal care.
The service has 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
The service continued to maintain safe and effective systems with regards to staff training and development and recruitment procedures, medication management, infection control, safeguarding and complaints.
Since the last inspection there had been a high turnover in staff. All vacancies had been recruited to and the team was now more stable. Staff told us changes in the management structure had been positive and the running of the service was now better organised and inclusive.
Regular audits and checks were completed to monitor and review all areas of the service. People, their relatives and staff were able to share their ideas and views about the service and support provided. Information and comments received were reviewed to explore any themes or patterns so improvements could be made.
People spoke positively about their experiences and enjoyed a good rapport with staff who knew them well. Staff spoke sensitively and passionately about their role and clearly understood what was expected of them.
People’s needs were assessed prior to joining the service. Information was used to develop their support plans and risk assessments. Information guided staff on the needs, wishes and preferences of people enabling people to remain as independent as possible.
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. Where people needed help to make decisions advocacy support was available.
Lots of information and opportunities were made available to encourage people to meet with others, develop relationships as well as take part in activities promoting community presence.
People were supported in a range of areas to meet their individual needs. This included encouraging people to continually develop their independent living skills, such as budgeting, shopping, cooking and housekeeping.
People had access to a range of health care support where needed and were offered advice and support on maintaining their health and well-being.
Suitable arrangements were in place for the recording and responding to any safeguarding issues or complaints and concerns.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was Good (published April 2017).
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.
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.