Culmside Support LLP

Updated 24 July 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 adult social care inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live in their own home 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

We gave the service 48 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.

The inspection started on 10 July 2019 and ended on 12 July 2019.

What we did before the inspection

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 looked at notifications received from the service. A notification is the means by which providers tell us important information that affects the running of the service and the care people receive. We sought feedback from the local authority who work with the service. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection-

We spoke with three people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager. We also met with a director of the company. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s care records and multiple medication records. We looked at two 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 contacted five professionals who have contact with the service. We received a response from two.

Updated 24 July 2019

About the service

Culmside Support LLP provides personal care and support to people with a learning disability living within a Supported Living environment. At the time of the inspection six people were being supported by the service. The service employed eight care staff.

The accommodation provided small three-bedroom units, with shared communal spaces. The provider’s office and staff room were not located within people’s homes, but in a separate building within the grounds of supported living accommodation.

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

People were supported to stay safe by staff trained to recognise and respond effectively to the risks of abuse. Potential risks to people’s health and well-being were identified and managed effectively in a way that promoted their independence. People were supported to take their medicines safely by trained staff. Sufficient numbers of staff were available to meet people's individual needs. Safe and effective recruitment practices were followed to help ensure all staff were suitable to do their jobs.

People were supported by staff that were well trained and received the appropriate support. People had their day to day health needs met with access to health and social care professionals when necessary. People were supported with a healthy balanced diet which met their needs. People were supported to have 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 cared for in a kind and compassionate way by staff that knew them well and were familiar with their needs. People were involved in the planning, delivery and reviews of the care and support provided. People’s privacy and dignity was promoted.

People received personalised care that met their needs and took account of their preferences. People were supported to pursue a wide variety of social interests and take part in meaningful activities relevant to their needs and wishes. People and their relatives were confident to raise concerns.

People, their relatives, staff and professionals were all very positive about the registered manager and how the service was managed. Systems were in place to check the quality of the services provided; to manage risks and drive improvement. Staff understood their roles and responsibilities and felt well supported by the registered manager.

Rating at last inspection – Good (report published 24 January 2017)

Why we inspected

This was a scheduled/planned inspection based on previous rating.

Follow up: We will continue to monitor intelligence we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received, we may inspect sooner.

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