Empowering U (East Midlands) was rated Good overall at its first inspection in October 2022, with care, safety, responsiveness and leadership all Good. The sole area of Requires Improvement was in the Effective domain, where Mental Capacity Act capacity assessments were found not to be decision-specific, though the registered manager committed to remedying this before the next inspection.
Concerns (2)
moderate
Consent / capacity
: “the capacity assessment in place was not decision specific.”
moderateRecord keeping: “the written information in place didn't include an assessment of people's capacity where this was needed.”
Strengths
· People were supported by staff trained in safeguarding adults and children, with clear whistleblowing policies in place.
· Medicines were managed safely by trained staff with competency assessments and MAR chart recording.
· Robust pre-employment checks including references and DBS carried out before staff worked with people.
· Staff received specialist training matched to individual people's complex health needs, including PEG feeding and BSL.
· Quality assurance audits and incident reviews were in place to identify themes and drive improvement.
Quality-Statement breakdown (21)
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: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceRequires improvement
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 careGood
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
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 take part in activitiesGood
responsive: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood
well-led: Engaging and involving people using the service, the public and staffGood
well-led: Continuous learning and improving care; working in partnership with othersGood