We carried out a review of the data available to us about Affinity Trust - South West on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Affinity Trust - South West, you can give feedback on this service.
Affinity Trust – South West is a domiciliary care service providing personal care and support for people living in their own homes and seven supported living houses within the Mendip area. At the time of the inspection they were providing personal care for 17 people.
Not everyone who used the service received 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
People received care and support that was safe. The provider had a robust recruitment programme, which meant all new staff were checked to ensure they were suitable to work with vulnerable people. All staff had received training in recognising potential abuse and how to raise concerns. Prospective new staff were matched to individuals with the same hobbies and interests.
Medicines were managed safely. Staff were trained in administering medicines and their competency checked regularly.
People received effective care and support that was focused on the person. There was a consistent staff team which meant people had regular support workers whom they knew well. Staff received mandatory training as well as training specific to people’s individual needs. Staff demonstrated a good understanding of people’s needs and how they preferred to be supported.
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 were involved in the planning and review of the support they received. People either wrote their own support plans or contributed ideas of how they would like their care and support delivered.
People were supported by caring staff who respected their independence and supported them with dignity and respect. People told us staff were caring and they had built meaningful relationships with them.
People received responsive care and support which was personalised to their individual needs and wishes and promoted independence. There was clear guidance for staff on how to support people in line with their personal wishes, likes and dislikes. Records showed people decided on what they did on a day to day basis.
There were systems in place to monitor the quality of the service provided, ensure staff kept up to date with good practice and to seek people’s views. Records showed the service responded to concerns and complaints and learnt from issues raised.
People and staff spoke positively about the registered manager. Staff said they felt valued and supported by the registered manager and provider.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensured that 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.
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 registered with us on 22 February 2019 and this is their first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on the date of registration.
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.