Cartref Homes Supported Living Scheme

Updated 22 October 2019

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

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in various locations 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 two managers 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 because the service is small and people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people at home to speak with us.

Inspection activity started on 27 August 2019 and ended on 29 August 2019. We visited the office location on 27 August 2019 and visited people in their home on 29 August 2019.

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. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with three people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with seven members of staff, including the nominated individual, both registered managers, a team leader and care workers. The nominated individual is responsible for supervising the management of the service on behalf of the provider.

We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and medication records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating 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. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We received feedback from two healthcare professionals who have regular involvement with people, the registered managers and staff at the service.

Updated 22 October 2019

About the service

Cartref Homes supported living scheme was providing care and support to16 people living in six supported living settings at the time of inspection. The service provides specialist support to people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and physical disabilities to help them to live as independently as possible and achieve their goals. Staff provided flexible support across 24 hours, including sleeping in overnight.

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.

The services people lived in were small, no more than five people shared together, and property was sought to meet people’s needs. People had access to shared areas and private areas, and could lock their bedroom doors to maintain their privacy and security. Gardens were accessible, some people chose to maintain their own garden areas and others chose to pay for the services of a gardener.

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

The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. Staff supported people to make the choices and decisions they were able to on a day to day basis. People were part of the local community, accessing local shops and leisure opportunities or working in either a part time paid capacity or as a volunteer. People told us about the holidays they had been able to take.

There were enough staff to make sure people received the support they were assessed as needing, including going out to their chosen activities. Some people needed to have more supervision than others. Risks were carefully and positively managed while promoting independence. Staff understood their responsibilities in safeguarding people from abuse and helping people to understand how to stay safe.

Staff received the training, support and supervision they needed to carry out their role and achieve their personal development goals. Staff supported people to maintain and improve their health by encouraging a healthy diet and to access healthcare when needed.

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’s care and support was individual, planned and provided in a way that put them at the centre of planning. Staff knew people well, their likes, dislikes and what and who was important to them. The individual way people communicated was key to the support provided, including verbally, or by their behaviour or body language.

There was an open culture, led by the two registered managers who were described by staff as being approachable and supportive. People knew the registered managers and were relaxed in their company. The provider had a good oversight of the service, using their monitoring processes to make sure people received a good quality and safe service.

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

Rating at last inspection and update

The last rating for this service was requires improvement (published 24 August 2018) and there were two breaches of regulation. The provider completed an action plan after the last inspection to show what they would do and by when to improve. At this inspection we found improvements had been made and the provider was no longer in breach of regulations.

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.