First inspection of this newly registered supported living service for people with learning disabilities found it to be Good across all five key questions, applying Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture principles. Improvements under the new registered manager had reduced medicine errors, safeguarding alerts and agency reliance, with strong person-centred communication and family engagement.
Concerns (3)
minor
Record keeping
: “they would benefit from a risk assessment around maintaining healthy skin. The registered manager told us how they were currently managing the risk but agreed a full assessment would be helpful.”
minorStaff training: “During the pandemic, due to restrictions that were in place, training had predominantly been online. Some staff felt that more face to face training would be beneficial.”
minorMedication management: “New procedures had been introduced for carrying out twice daily checks on medicine administration. This had been successful in significantly reducing the number of medicines errors.”
Strengths
· Person-centred care tailored to people with learning disabilities and autistic people, applying Right Support, Right Care, Right Culture
· Strong communication skills among staff including Makaton, PECS, pictures and symbols to meet individual needs
· Significant reduction in medicine errors and safeguarding alerts following new procedures
· Reduction in agency staff use and improved staff supervision since registered manager took post
· Improved communication with families and positive feedback from relatives and professionals
Quality-Statement breakdown (24)
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; supporting people to access healthcare servicesGood
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 controlGood
responsive: Meeting people's communication needsGood
responsive: Supporting people to develop and maintain relationships and follow interestsGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering cultureGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about roles; understanding quality, risks and regulatory requirements; duty of candourGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving careGood