Archived: Nottingham Supported Living

Updated 6 December 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. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider was meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Act, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

Inspection team

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Service and service type

This service provides care and support to people living in ten ‘supported living’ flats located in one building, 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

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 available to support the inspection. The inspection was completed in one day.

What we did before the inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since it registered. This included checking incidents the provider must notify us about, such as serious injuries and abuse. We sought feedback from the local authority and Healthwatch. Healthwatch is an independent consumer champion that gathers and represents the views of the public about health and social care services in England.

On this occasion, we had not asked the provider to send us a provider Information return (PIR). A PIR is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service. This includes what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. However, we offered the registered manager the opportunity to share information they felt was relevant.

During the inspection

We spoke with two people who used the service and asked them about the quality of the care they received. We also spoke with the registered manager, a team leader and two support workers. We reviewed a range of records. This included all or parts of records relating to the care of two people. We also viewed audits and checks that monitored the quality and safety of the service.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We asked the registered manager to provide us with a variety of policies and procedures and additional information about staff training and recruitment. We used all this information to help form our judgements detailed within this report.

Updated 6 December 2019

This service provides care and support for up to ten people with a learning disability or mental health needs living in ten 'supported living' flats within one building. Staff are on site 24 hours a day and provide people with an individual care package. Not all people receive the regulatory activity personal care. At the time of our inspection, five people were receiving personal care and support as part of their care package.

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’s experience of using this service and what we found

People received safe care and support. Staff had received training on safeguarding adults and were aware of their responsibilities to protect people from avoidable harm. Risks associated with people’s individual needs had been assessed and planned for. Learning from mistakes took place to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Staff had information to support them to mitigate any risks posed to people’s safety. There were sufficient staff to meet people’s individual needs. Safe recruitment procedures were used, to support the management team in making safe recruitment decisions. People received support in line with national best practice guidance, in the administration of their medicines.

People were protected from the risks of cross contamination. Staff had received training in the prevention and control of infections and food hygiene standards.

People’s care and support reflected their individual assessed needs. Staff had received an induction, training and ongoing support. Where people received support with nutritional needs, choice and independence was promoted.

Information was shared with external healthcare professionals, to support people with their ongoing healthcare needs. Staff supported people to access health services and support. People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People gave positive feedback about the approach of staff. They described staff as being kind and caring. Staff had developed positive relationships with people and they knew them well. Care was personalised, and respected people’s dignity, privacy and independence was actively supported. People were involved in discussions and decisions about the care and support they received.

People received care and support that respected their individual preferences and lifestyle choices. There was an inclusive approach to communication. Information was presented in accessible formats to support people to be fully involved in their care and support.

Social inclusion was encouraged and supported. People received opportunities to participate in interests, hobbies and social activities. People were also supported to achieve personal goals and aspirations.

A complaint procedure enabled people to raise any complaints and any received were fully investigated. People’s wishes in relation to their end of life care had been discussed and planned with them.

Quality assurance systems and processes were used to monitor quality and safety. The registered manager was aware of their registration regulatory responsibilities. People received opportunities to share their views about the service they received. Staff were positive about the leadership and support provided by the registered manager.

Rating at last inspection

This was the first time the location had been inspected therefore there was no previous rating. This service was registered with us on 23 November 2018 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the registration date.

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

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.