Archived: MacIntyre Central England Support

Updated 17 May 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, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on the 21 April 2016. It was an announced inspection. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming. We did this because the registered manager is sometimes out of the office supporting staff or visiting people who use the service. We needed to be sure that someone would be in. This inspection was carried out by three inspectors.

We spoke with three people’s relatives, four care staff and the registered manager. We looked at four people’s care records, staff files and medicine administration records. We also looked at a range of records relating to the management of the service. The methods we used to gather information included pathway tracking, which is capturing the experiences of a sample of people by following a person’s route through the service and getting their views on their care.

We looked at previous inspection reports and reviewed the notifications we had received. A notification is information about important events which the provider is required to tell us about in law.

In addition we contacted the local authority commissioner of services to obtain their views on the service.

Updated 17 May 2016

We undertook an announced inspection of MacIntyre Central England Support on 21 April 2016.

MacIntyre is a charity dedicated to providing a range of teaching and learning, support and care services to people with learning disabilities through domicillary care and supported living. At the time of our inspection eight people were receiving a personal care service.

There was a registered manager in post. 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 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

We were greeted warmly by staff at the service who seemed genuinely pleased to see us. The registered manager checked our identity before allowing us to proceed with the inspection. The atmosphere was open and friendly.

Relatives told us people were safe. Staff understood their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Staff had received regular training to make sure they stayed up to date with recognising and reporting safety concerns. The service had systems in place to notify the appropriate authorities where concerns were identified.

People were supported by staff who were knowledgeable about people’s needs and provided support with compassion and kindness. People received high quality care that was personalised and met their needs.

Where risks to people had been identified risk assessments were in place and action had been taken to reduce the risks. Staff were aware of people’s needs and followed guidance to keep them safe. People received their medicine as prescribed.

There were sufficient staff to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels and visit schedules were consistently maintained. The service had robust recruitment procedures and conducted background checks to ensure staff were suitable for their role.

Most staff understood the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and all staff applied its principles in their work. The MCA protects the rights of people who may not be able to make particular decisions themselves. The registered manager was knowledgeable about the MCA and how to ensure the rights of people who lacked capacity were protected, this included Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLs).

Relatives told us they were confident they would be listened to and action would be taken if they raised a concern. The service sought people’s and relatives opinions through regular surveys and telephone contact. The service had systems to assess the quality of the service provided. Learning needs were identified and action taken to make improvements which promoted people’s safety and quality of life. Systems were in place that ensured people were protected against the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care.

Staff spoke positively about the support they received from the registered manager. Staff supervision and meetings were scheduled as were annual appraisals. Staff told us the registered manager was approachable and there was a good level of communication within the service.

Relatives told us the service was friendly, responsive and well managed. Relatives knew the managers and staff and spoke positively about them. The service sought people’s views and opinions and acted upon them.