Archived: Somerset Domiciliary Service and Floating Support (Minehead)

Updated 16 February 2019

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 23 January 2019 and was announced. It was carried out by one inspector.

We gave the service notice of the inspection visit because the location provides a domiciliary care service. We therefore needed to make sure the management would be available and make arrangements to meet people who used the service.

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 looked at the information in the PIR and also looked at other information we held about the service before the inspection visit.

During the inspection we spoke with five people who used the service and four members of staff. We also spoke with three relatives on the telephone. The registered manager was available throughout the inspection visit.

We looked at a number of records relating to individual care and the running of the service. These included three support plans, quality assurance records, training records and three staff recruitment files.

Updated 16 February 2019

This inspection was carried out 23 January 2019.

Somerset Domiciliary Service and floating support (Minehead) provides personal care and support to people living in their own homes in Minehead and the surrounding areas. The service specialises in supporting people with a learning disability.

This service provides care and support to some people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so that they can live in their own home 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.

At the time of this inspection the service was supporting eight people with personal care. All the eight people lived in a supported living setting.

The care service has been developed and designed in line with the values that underpin the Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These values include choice, promotion of independence and inclusion. People with learning disabilities and autism using the service can live as ordinary a life as any citizen. Registering the Right Support CQC policy

At our last inspection we rated the service good. At this inspection we found the evidence continued to support the rating of good and there was no evidence or information from our inspection and ongoing monitoring that demonstrated serious risks or concerns. This inspection report is written in a shorter format because our overall rating of the service has not changed since our last inspection.

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At this inspection we found the service remained Good.

Why the service is rated Good;

People and their family members were very happy with the service they received. One relative said, “I have nothing but praise for the staff and the management of the service.”

People received a safe service because the provider had systems and processes which helped to minimise risks. This included a robust recruitment procedure and training for staff about how to recognise and report suspicions of abuse.

Staff who supported people had the skills and experience to meet their needs. Staff felt well supported which lead to good staff morale and a happy atmosphere for people to live in.

People were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible. The policies and systems in the service supported this practice. Staff worked in accordance with up to date guidance to make sure people’s legal rights were protected.

People received a personalised service from staff who were kind and caring. Staff supported people to maintain and develop their independence and to achieve their goals. One person told us, “You can do what you want. Staff will help you if you want them to.”

People were supported by staff to take part in social activities and to access community facilities. Risk assessments were carried out to promote independence and enable people to pursue their hobbies and interests safely.

The management structure in the service ensured people and staff had access to, and support from, a competent management team. The provider had systems in place to monitor quality, seek people’s views and plan on-going improvements.

Further information is in the detailed findings below.