The inspection was carried out on 26 & 27 July and 01 August 2016. The inspection was announced.The last inspection was in December 2013 and at that time the provider was meeting all the regulations inspected.
Affinity Trust provides supported living and outreach services to adults with learning disabilities in Bradford, Keighley and Ilkley. At the time of the inspection the service was supporting 89 people, 83 of whom were receiving support with personal care. The supported living service was supporting 41 people in multi occupancy tenancies, typically occupied by three or four people, and the outreach service was supporting 42 people living in their own homes.
There was a registered manager. 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.
People who were supported by the service were protected from abuse and the risk of abuse. Staff were trained and knew how to recognise and report any concerns about people’s safety and welfare. We observed people were at ease and comfortable with staff. We observed staff were kind and compassionate in their interactions with people.
People told us they were supported by the same staff most of the time. There were generally enough staff to provide people with the support they needed. The provider was in the process of recruiting more staff to provide cover for absence due to holidays, training or sickness and if possible eliminate the use agency staff.
All the required checks were done before new staff stared work and this helped to protect people from the risk of being supported by staff unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults. Newly appointed staff had a structured induction training programme to help them fulfil their roles and responsibilities. Following induction, staff received training on a variety of subjects to make sure they worked safely and had the skills and knowledge to meet people’s individual support needs.
Risks to people’s safety and well-being were identified and action was taken to remove, reduce or manage risks without compromising people’s independence. People were supported to take their medicines safely.
People were asked for their consent and their views were respected. The service was working in accordance with the requirements and principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and this helped to make sure people’s rights were promoted and protected.
Staff treated people with respect, kindness and compassion. They knew people well and we found people were supported to be as independent as possible and make decisions about all aspects of their day to day lives.
We found the care and support provided to people was based on their individual needs and took account of their preferences. Where indicated people were supported to choose and cook their own meals and were encouraged to choose healthy options.
People had access to the full range of NHS services in order to meet their health care needs. When people had more complex health needs the service worked closely with community and hospital based health care professionals to make sure they received the right care and support
People were supported to access local amenities and take part in a wide range of leisure, education and work related activities which reflected their preferences and strengths.
People knew how to raise a concern or make a complaint, they were listened to and their concerns were acted on.
Staff told us they enjoyed working for Affinity Trust and said the registered manager and divisional director worked consistently to promote a ‘person centred’ approach.
Roles and responsibilities were clearly defined and the provider had a schedule of checks and audits which had to be carried out at specified regular intervals to monitor and assess the safety and quality of the services.
The provider promoted a culture of continuous improvement and the feedback we received from people who were supported by the service was unanimously positive.