Background to this inspection
Updated
26 February 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
Two inspectors undertook this inspection and attended the site visit.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in six flats 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 a short period notice of the inspection because it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since they registered and information we requested prior to this inspection. This included insurance documentation, accident and incident records, people’s care and medication records, staff training records, quality assurance documents and information about complaints. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report.
During the inspection
We spoke with four people who used the service and two relatives about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager. We reviewed a range of records. This included four people’s care records. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records.
Updated
26 February 2021
Princes Crescent is a supported living service providing personal care and support to six people with a learning disability. The premises consists of three self-contained flats and three bed-sits. There is an office with a room for staff who sleep-in at night.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The provider’s systems were not consistently effective in providing the registered manager with clear oversight of risks. This meant that they could not be assured that all risks to people, including restrictive practices, were effectively and consistently managed.
Staff understood their responsibilities for safeguarding people and risks to people were identified and managed effectively. People were receiving their medicines safely and infection prevention and control practices were safe and in accordance with government guidance.
People’s needs and preferences were considered and care plans were clear and detailed to guide staff in how to provide care safely and in the way that people preferred. Staff had received the training and support required to support people’s needs. People were supported to have enough to eat and drink and to access health care services.
Staff were kind and caring and people and their relatives told us they were happy with the care provided. One relative said, “They couldn’t do more than they are doing.” Staff respected people’s views and supported them to remain independent. Staff had identified changes in people’s needs and care plans had been adjusted to ensure they continued to receive the support they needed.
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.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture
Right support:
• Model of care and setting maximises people’s choice, control and Independence. People were receiving a personalised service and were supported to develop and maintain their independence. Staff supported people to make choices and to remain connected with their family, friends and the local community.
Right care:
• Care is person-centred and promotes people’s dignity, privacy and human rights. People were supported to lead full and active lives and to take part in activities that were meaningful to them. Staff were kind, respectful and treated people with dignity.
Right culture:
• Ethos, values, attitudes and behaviours of leaders and care staff ensure people using services lead confident, inclusive and empowered lives. Staff described a positive culture where learning was encouraged.
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 25/11/2019 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection.
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.