Northbrook, a supported living service for people with a learning disability and autism in Southampton, received a Good rating across all five key questions at its first CQC inspection in December 2022. The service demonstrated strong person-centred care, effective safeguarding, robust medication management, skilled and well-supported staff, and confident leadership with effective quality assurance systems.
Strengths
· People felt safe, settled and enjoyed living at Northbrook, with consistent and well-known staff including agency workers providing continuity of care.
· Medicines were safely managed, stored and administered with regular audits and competency checks for staff.
· Detailed, person-centred care and support plans using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) were regularly reviewed and kept up to date.
· Staff received robust induction, specialist training, regular supervision and were supported in their professional development.
· The service used a wide range of augmentative communication tools (PECS, Makaton, Now and Next boards, sand timers) to meet people's communication needs.
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standards, guidance and the lawGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely care; Supporting people to live healthier livesGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
caring: Ensuring people are well treated and supported; respecting equality and diversityGood
caring: Supporting people to express their views and be involved in making decisions about their careGood
caring: Respecting and promoting people's privacy, dignity and independenceGood
responsive: Planning personalised care to ensure people have choice and control and to meet their needs and preferencesGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships to avoid social isolation; support to follow interestsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
well-led: Promoting a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empoweringGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirements; Continuous learning and improving careGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staff; Working in partnership with othersGood