Updated 24 June 2022
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 Health and Social Care Act 2008.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
Inspection team
Two inspectors and an Expert by Experience carried out this inspection. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in two ‘supported living’ settings, 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.
Registered Manager
This service is required to have a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. 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.
At the time of our inspection there was a registered manager in post.
Notice of inspection
We gave a short notice period of the inspection because we needed to speak to people. Inspection activity started on 17 May 2022 and ended on 7 June 2022. We visited the location’s office/service on 17 May 2022.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from Redcar and Cleveland local authority and professionals who work with the service, such as the fire service and NHS infection prevention and control team. We used all this information to plan our inspection. The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make.
During the inspection
We spoke with 13 people who used the service, five relatives and one friend to capture their views about the care provided. We spoke to a social worker who provided feedback about how staff supported one person with complex needs. We also spoke with seven staff including the regional operations manager, the registered manager, a team leader and four support workers.
We reviewed three people’s care records and two people’s medicine administration records. We reviewed three staff records in relation to recruitment, induction, supervision and appraisal. We also reviewed records relating to the running of the service, including the provider’s policies.