United Response - Salford DCA

Updated 26 July 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

One inspector carried out the inspection. A medicines inspector was available remotely to support the inspection.

Service and service type

United Response – Salford DCA is a domiciliary care and supported living service. It provides personal care and support to people living in 10 ‘supported living’ settings, so 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.

The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. 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.

Notice of inspection

We gave the service 48 hours' notice of the inspection. This was because we did not know if all people living at the service could consent to a visit from an inspector. This meant we had to arrange for a 'best interests' decision about this.

Inspection activity started on 20 May 2022 and ended on 30 June 2022, at which point we had received and reviewed all emailed evidence we requested following the office and property visits. We visited the office location on 24 May 2022.

What we did before inspection

We reviewed information we had received about the service since they had registered with the CQC. We sought feedback from professionals who work with or commissioned the service. We asked the registered manager of the service to send us information relating to people's addresses, communication needs and asked the manager to gain consent from people for us to visit or contact them. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.

During the inspection

We spoke with eight people who used the service about their experience of the care provided. To communicate verbally with people effectively we tailored our communication to suit people's preferences, including observing people's body language and facial gestures.

We spoke with seven members of staff including the registered manager, senior service manager and care staff. We also captured the views of four more staff members via emailed questionnaires.

We reviewed a range of records. This included seven people’s care records and seven medication records. We looked at five staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.

After the inspection

We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training and supervision data, quality assurance records, shift planners, policies and procedures, activities information, goals and aspiration records, family and professional feedback

Updated 26 July 2022

We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.

About the service

United Response - Salford DCA is a is a branch of the national charity United Response, which provides a range of support services for adults and young people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs or physical disabilities. United Response - Salford DCA provides care and support to people living in 'supported living' settings within the Salford area so that they can live as independently as possible. The service can support up to 24 people across 10 properties. At the time of inspection 24 people were using the service.

People’s experience of using this service and what we found

Right Support

The service and its staff supported people to have the maximum possible choice, control and independence. People had control over their own lives. Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. Staff communicated with people in ways that met their needs. Staff focused on people’s strengths and promoted what they could do, so people had a fulfilling and meaningful everyday life. People were supported to pursue their interests and achieve their aspirations and goals. Staff supported people to take part in activities in their local area and to interact online with people who had shared interests. This had been particularly important when access to day centres and some social venues had been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff supported people to play an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing, including managing their medicines and attending medical appointments. Health and wellbeing was championed within the service, this included active participation in local health initiatives.

Right Care

The care people received supported their needs and aspirations, was focused on their quality of life, and followed best practice. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. Staff received training in how to identify abuse and report safeguarding concerns and worked with other agencies and professionals to ensure and maintain people’s safety. The service had enough appropriately skilled staff to provide planned care and keep people safe. Staff understood people’s cultural needs and promoted equality and diversity in their support for people. People received kind and compassionate care from staff who knew them well and how the wished to be supported. People could communicate with staff and understand information given to them because staff supported them consistently and understood their individual communication needs.

Right culture

People were supported by staff who understood best practice in relation to the wide range of strengths, impairments or sensitivities people with a learning disability and/or autistic people may have. This meant people received compassionate and empowering care that was tailored to their needs. Staff ensured risks of a closed culture were minimised so that people received support based on transparency, respect and inclusivity. Staff evaluated the quality of support provided to people, involving the person, their families and other professionals through reviews, surveys and ongoing discussion. There were systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service and any learning was identified and acted on. Staff received enough support and supervision to carry out their roles effectively.

For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 4 March 2021 and this is the first inspection.

Why we inspected

We undertook this inspection to assess that the service is applying the principles of Right support, right care, right culture.

Follow up

We will continue to monitor information we receive about the service until we return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.