Archived: Specialist Support Services for Younger Adults with Disabilities South

Updated 21 October 2016

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, to look at the overall quality of the service, and to provide a rating for the service under the Care Act 2014.

This inspection took place on 31 August 2016 and was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection as the registered manager supports two services and we needed to be sure they would be available.

The inspection was carried out by one inspector.

Before the inspection the provider completed a Provider Information Return (PIR). This is a form that asks the provider to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We checked the information we held about this service and the service provider. We also contacted the Local Authority.

During our inspection we observed how staff interacted with people who used the service.

Some people who used the service had limited verbal communication or did not wish to communicate with us. However we were able to observe their interactions with staff.

We spoke with five people who used the service. We also spoke with the registered manager, the manager, a senior home care supervisor, two home carers and the member of staff who scheduled care visits.

We reviewed four people’s care records, four medication records, five staff files and records relating to the management of the service, such as quality audits.

Updated 21 October 2016

This inspection took place 31 August 2016 and was announced.

It was carried out by one inspector.

The Specialist Support Services for Younger Adults with Disabilities (South) is a domiciliary care service that provides personal care for younger adults from the age of 18 to 65 years who have a physical disability and / or learning disability and live independently in Northamptonshire. Some people who use the service live in a block of flats where the office is located, others live in their own flats or houses in the surrounding area. On the day of the inspection 26 people were receiving the regulated activity.

There was a registered manger in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People felt safe. Staff had received training to enable them to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and knew how to report any concerns. People had risk assessments in place to enable them to be as independent as they could be.

There were sufficient staff, with the correct skill mix, on duty to support people with their needs. Effective recruitment processes were in place and followed by the service.

Medicines were managed safely. The processes in place ensured that the administration and handling of medicines was suitable for the people who used the service. People received their medicines safely when they needed them.

Staff received a comprehensive induction process and ongoing training. They were well supported by the registered manager and had regular one to one time for supervisions. Staff had attended a variety of training to ensure they were able to provide care and support based on current practice when supporting people.

People were supported to make decisions about all aspects of their life; this was underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Staff were knowledgeable of this guidance and correct processes were in place to protect people. Staff gained consent before supporting people.

People were able to make choices about the food and drink they had, and staff gave support when required to enable people to prepare and cook their own meals. People were encouraged to eat a healthy balanced diet.

People were supported to access a variety of health professional when required, including dentist, opticians and doctors.

Staff provided care and support in a caring and meaningful way. They knew the people who used the service. People, and relatives where appropriate, were involved in the planning of their care and support.

People’s privacy and dignity was maintained at all times.

People were supported to follow their interests, join in activities of their choice and encouraged to develop relationships with people.

A complaints procedure was in place and accessible to all. People knew how to complain. Effective quality monitoring systems were in place. A variety of audits were carried out and used to drive improvement.