Copper Connect Care

Updated 2 October 2021

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

Our inspection was completed by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, 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 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

This inspection was announced. We gave the service 48 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because it is a small service and we needed to be sure the registered manager would be available to support the inspection. We also needed to obtain the consent from people using the service to be contacted by us to obtain feedback on their experience of using the service.

The inspection activity started on 16 July 2021 by visiting the provider's office to meet with the registered manager. We then made phone calls to people using the service and staff, and inspection activity ended on 6 August 2021.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed the information we had received about the service since they registered with us, including any statutory notifications received. We had not asked the provider to send us a 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. We used all of this information to plan our inspection

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager and we reviewed a range of records. These included care and staff records and records relating to the management of the service.

After the inspection

We spoke with two people using the service about their experiences of the care provided and one support worker. We also received feedback from a Psychiatrist. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found.

Updated 2 October 2021

About the service

Copper Connect Care is a supported living service. The service provides personal care to people living in a supported living service with shared communal facilities and staff on site all time. At the time of the inspection three people were receiving personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do, we also consider any wider social care provided.

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

The registered manager did not always notify CQC of significant events, such as allegations of abuse, as required by law. However, this did not pose a significant risk to people because the registered manager did report the events to other relevant authorities. Besides this, the registered manager understood their role and responsibilities, as did staff. The registered manager engaged and consulted well with people using the service and staff. Staff felt well supported by the registered manager.

People received the right support in relation to risks, such as those relating to their mental health or behaviour which challenged the service. There were enough staff to support people safely. The provider checked staff were suitable to work with people through recruitment checks, although some improvements were needed to these as the provider did not always obtain a full employment history for all staff members as required by law. Staff received training in infection control practices, including the safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. People received the right support in relation to their medicines and the registered manager had good oversight of this.

Staff received the training and support they needed to meet people’s needs. People were supported to maintain their mental and physical health and to maintain contact with professionals involved in their care. People received food and drink of their choice. 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 liked the staff who supported them and developed good relationships with them. People received consistency of care from a small number of staff who knew them well. People were supported to improve their independent living skills and staff treated people with dignity and respect. People were involved in their care and their care plans were based on their individual needs and preferences. People were encouraged to raise any concerns or complaints.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was inspected 25 October 2018 but there was insufficient evidence to rate the service. This was the first comprehensive inspection since the service registered with us.

Why we inspected

This inspection was prompted because the service had not received a comprehensive inspection since they registered with us in October 2017. This was because the service had been dormant for some time before and after our inspection in 2018.

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.