25 February 2020
During a routine inspection
Community Wessex East is registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes. At the time of our inspection ten people with autism, learning disabilities and mental health needs were receiving 24 hour support with personal care in their own 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 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
The people we met during our inspection were unable to communicate verbally, however parents and support staff told us people expressed they were happy and more settled in their homes. Relatives told us they felt people were safe and the service provided good care and support.
We have made two recommendations, the first is to ensure the provider maintains effective oversight and management of the service. The second recommendation is for the provider to ensure resulting action and outcomes from quality assurance questionnaires are captured.
The provider had robust recruitment systems to ensure staff were safely recruited. Staff spoke knowledgably about the systems in place to safeguard people from abuse.
Risks had been identified and measures put in place to keep people safe from harm. People received their medicines as prescribed and were supported to access health care services as required. Medicines were stored securely, managed safely and administered by trained staff who had regular checks to ensure they were competent to administer medicines.
People were supported by a core team of staff who knew their individual needs and preferences well. Staff provided kind, caring and safe care and support to people, treating people as individuals with respect and dignity.
Staff had received effective training which they said was well delivered and ensured they remained up to date with all core areas. Specific training needs, such as epilepsy and autism awareness were available, and staff felt well supported and were encouraged to develop within their roles.
Staff received regular supervision and annual appraisals to ensure they were fully supported in their role.
The service was working within the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. People were supported to have maximum choice and control over 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.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. 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.
The service used positive behaviour support principles to support people in the least restrictive way.
People's care was tailored to their individual needs and maintained their independence as much as possible. Care plans were comprehensive, person centred, respectful, and reviewed regularly to ensure they reflected people’s needs.
People were supported to lead active lives and took part in a range of different activities if they wished. People who preferred to spend time on a one to one basis were supported with appropriate activities they enjoyed, to ensure their wellbeing was maintained and to prevent social isolation.
There was a system of ongoing monitoring through audits and spot checks to review the quality of the service provided. There was an ethos of continual learning with an open, approachable and supportive culture in place. Staff felt listened to and supported in all areas of their work.
Relatives and staff expressed confidence in the management team and felt the service had a clear management structure and an open and supportive culture.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
Rating at last inspection
The last rating for this service was good (report published 3 July 2017).
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.