First inspection of a newly registered supported living service for people with learning disabilities, rated Good overall and across all five key questions. Minor improvement areas were identified around person-centred care planning, mental capacity assessments and medicines storage temperature monitoring, all with action plans in progress.
Concerns (7)
moderate
Staffing levels
: “There had also been two occasions where a staff member had left people on their own which was unsafe.”
moderateCare planning: “Some of the care plans were not written in a person-centred way. For example one plan recorded, 'He cannot cook' instead of staying what tasks the person could do”
moderateRecord keeping: “There was a lack of detailed information about people's health needs. Whilst people received good support with their health needs, we found one person had diabetes... but there was no record of this in their care plan.”
moderatePerson-centred care: “a goal was written as, 'being able to take instructions in a timely manner' which the person would not have chosen as a goal.”
minorMedication management: “Although there had been some minor medicines errors these had been addressed and there were steps in place to reduce the risk of any future errors.”
minorMedication management: “Two recent medicines audits had identified that one service needed to buy thermometers to ensure medicines were stored at safe temperatures. Although the thermometers were not in place”
minorConsent / capacity: “Mental capacity assessments were due to be carried out in January 2022.”
Strengths
· Staff trained to identify and report abuse, with confidence in whistleblowing procedures
· Effective systems for safekeeping people's money to protect from financial abuse
· Safe recruitment practices including DBS checks and references
· Staff trained in administering medicines and assessed as competent
· Individual written protocols for epilepsy rescue medicines
Quality-Statement breakdown (22)
safe: Systems and processes to safeguard people from the risk of abuseGood
safe: Assessing risk, safety monitoring and managementGood
safe: Learning lessons when things go wrongGood
safe: Preventing and controlling infectionGood
safe: Staffing and recruitmentGood
safe: Using medicines safelyGood
effective: Staff working with other agencies to provide consistent, effective, timely careGood
effective: Supporting people to live healthier lives, access healthcare services and supportGood
effective: Ensuring consent to care and treatment in line with law and guidanceGood
effective: Assessing people's needs and choices; delivering care in line with standardsGood
effective: Staff support: induction, training, skills and experienceGood
effective: Supporting people to eat and drink enough to maintain a balanced dietGood
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: Improving care quality in response to complaints or concernsGood
responsive: End of life care and supportNot rated
well-led: Promoting a positive, person-centred culture; engaging and involving people; partnership workingGood
well-led: Duty of candour and continuous learning and improving careGood
well-led: Managers and staff being clear about their roles, and understanding quality performance, risks and regulatory requirementsGood