Archived: Choice Support Wakefield (DCA)

Updated 29 May 2020

The inspection

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 is 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.

Inspection team

The inspection was conducted by two inspectors, an assistant inspector and two Experts by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.

Service and service type

This service is a domiciliary care agency. It provides personal care to people living in their own houses and flats and specialist housing. This service provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, 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 two managers 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 we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection. Inspection activity started on 11 February and ended on 26 February 2020. We visited the office location on 12 and 26 February and visited people in their flats and houses on 12, 13 and 26 February 2020. We telephoned some people’s relatives on 11 and 12 February 2020.

What we did before the inspection

Prior to our inspection we reviewed all the information we held about the service. This included information from notifications received from the registered provider, feedback from the local authority and information from third parties to help fully inform our approach to inspecting this service.

On this occasion we did not ask the registered provider to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.

During the inspection

We spoke with six people who used the service and three of their relatives in people’s own houses or flats. Some people who used the service used non-verbal communication methods and we used different methods to help us understand their experiences. We observed the care and support people received. We spoke with five people’s relatives on the telephone and looked at eight people’s care plans and other records. We looked at three records relating to staff recruitment, supervision and training, and various documents relating to the service's quality assurance systems. We spoke with the registered managers, three services managers, four homes managers, five support workers and the deputy director of operations.

After the inspection

We reviewed further information received from the provider, such as quality assurance records.

Updated 29 May 2020

Choice Support Wakefield (DCA) is a domiciliary Care agency registered to provide personal care to people in their own homes and supported living houses and flats in the community. It provides a service to a range of people with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum condition, physical disabilities and mental health needs. At the time of the inspection the service was providing personal care to 104 people.

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 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

Choice Support Wakefield (DCA) was exceptional at placing people at the heart of the service. The managers and staff had a strong focus on people having as many opportunities as possible to develop their confidence, gain new skills and become as independent as they could. One relative said, "My [family member] does what they want when they want."

The outcomes for people using the service truly reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support in the promotion of choice, control, independence and inclusion. The management team constantly looked for ways to improve the service. They had engaged people with complex emotional and behavioural needs in decisions and feedback at every opportunity.

Relatives and people we spoke with highly praised the service and the impact it was having. People were supported by staff who were determined to ensure people could make their own choices. Staff assisted people to make their wishes a reality.

There was a very positive culture in the service and people experienced good levels of staff support and interaction to lead fulfilling lives.

The service was safe and people were encouraged to live life to the full and enjoy taking supported risks.

Staff had a good understanding of how to safeguard adults from abuse and who to contact if they suspected any abuse had taken place.

Staff knew what to do in the event of an emergency. Risk assessments were individualised and minimised risk whilst promoting independence.

People were supported to maintain optimum wellbeing and quality of life. Care plans were outcome focused, extremely detailed, accessible and based on robust assessments of individual need.

Relatives and people told us how people were highly valued, shown great respect and their dignity preserved. People were supported to have the 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.

Staff were exceptionally caring. They all shared the same hopes and aspirations for people to continue to live the lifestyle of their choice. People’s voices were of paramount importance in the service.

There was clear and consistent working with other professionals who supported people and staff were pro-active and dedicated to promoted people’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Recruitment practices for the service were safe. Staff were supported through induction, training, observations and supervision.

The registered managers welcomed comments about the service. They had an accessible complaint’s process available to people.

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

Rating at the last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (published 15 November 2017). Since this rating was awarded the registered provider of the service has altered its legal entity. We have used the previous rating to inform our planning and decisions about the rating at this inspection.

Why we inspected

This inspection was part of our scheduled plan of visiting services to check the safety and quality of care people received.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor the service and re-inspect in line with the current rating. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.