Background to this inspection
Updated
3 March 2016
We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008. We also looked at the overall quality of the service and provided a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.
This unannounced inspection was carried out on 23 November 2015 by an Adult Social Care inspector from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Prior to this inspection we looked at all the information we held about this service, including notifications informing us of significant events, such as serious incidents, reportable accidents, notifiable diseases, deaths and safeguarding concerns.
The registered manager had not been requested to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) on this occasion. This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
Ten of the sixteen people who used the service agreed to a telephone conversation with an Expert by Experience. However, we were only able to speak with five of them, plus a relative. An Expert by Experience is a person who has experience of the type of service being inspected.
We spoke with five people who resided in supported living accommodation and two relatives of other people who used the service. We spoke with three members of staff during our inspection, as well as the registered manager. We also looked at the care records of six people who used the service and ‘pathway tracked the care of three of them. ‘Pathway’ tracking is a method we use to establish if people are receiving the care and support they require.
Updated
3 March 2016
Next Stage "A Way Forward" provides domiciliary care services for people who need support with mental health difficulties and who require help with their personal and social care needs. Some domestic assistance is also provided for those who need help in this area. The agency office in West Lancashire works with approximately 16 people, who live in their own homes within the community. The office base is situated close to the centre of Ormskirk and is easily accessible by public transport. Next stage “A Way Forward” West Lancashire area offices owned by Next stage “A Way Forward” Ltd and is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The last inspection of the service took place on 30 July 2014 when it was compliant with all six outcome areas assessed at that time.
A visit to the agency office was conducted on 23 November 2015 by an inspector from the Care Quality Commission. The registered manager was given short notice of our planned inspection. This was so that someone would be available to provide the information we needed to see.
The registered manager of the agency was on duty when we visited Next Stage. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act and associated regulations about how the service is run.
Records showed the staff team were well trained and those we spoke with provided us with some good examples of modules they had completed. Regular supervision records and annual appraisals were retained on staff personnel files.
Staff were confident in reporting any concerns about a person’s safety and were aware of safeguarding procedures. Recruitment practices were robust, which helped to ensure only suitable people were appointed to work with this vulnerable client group.
The planning of people’s care was based on an assessment of their needs, with information being gathered from a variety of sources. Evidence was available to show people, who used the service, or their relatives when relevant had been involved in making decisions about the way care and support was being delivered.
Regular reviews of needs were conducted with any changes in circumstances being recorded well. Areas of risk had been identified within the care planning process and assessments had been conducted within a risk management framework, which outlined strategies implemented to help to protect people from harm.
People were supported to maintain their independence and their dignity was consistently respected. People said staff were kind and caring towards them and their privacy and dignity was always respected.
Staff spoken with told us they felt well supported by the manager of the agency and were confident to approach him with any concerns, should the need arise.
Medications were being well managed. Detailed policies and procedures were in place, which were being followed in day to day practice. Medication Administration Records were being completed appropriately and people told us they received their medicines on time and in a safe manner.