Archived: Kit Care Agency

We carried out an unannounced comprehensive inspection of this service on 6 October 2016. Two breaches of legal requirements were found. This was because the registered manager failed to demonstrate that people’s care was always provided in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and systems and processes were not in place to ensure the quality and safety of the service.

After the comprehensive inspection, the provider wrote to us to say what they would do to meet legal requirements in relation to the breaches. At this inspection we found that action had been taken and both breaches had been met.

Kit Care Agency is registered to provide personal care for up to 10 adults with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders. At the time of this inspection 10 people were using the service.

This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, so 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.

This service has a registered manager. 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.

The service had a caring, family atmosphere. The staff treated people with kindness, respect and compassion. They knew the people they supported well and were knowledgeable about their routines, likes and dislikes, and personal preferences.

People and relatives were involved in planning people’s care. Care plans were personalised and provided staff with clear instructions about how to support people in the way they wanted. People took part in activities they enjoyed, for example college, volunteering, attending day centres, and accessing the community.

People felt safe at the service. Staff knew how to protect people from harm. Risks to people were assessed and their safety monitored. People told us that having enough staff available to support them made them feel safe. They also said staff helped them to have their medicines safely.

Staff were knowledgeable about the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and sought people’s consent before providing them with care and support. People were encouraged to express their views and be actively involved in making decisions about their lives. They told us staff always asked them what they wanted before assisting them with their daily routines.

Staff supported people to shop and cook for themselves and to eat healthily. Staff were trained in nutrition and encouraged people to have a balanced diet and remain hydrated. People had access to healthcare services and specialist support when they needed it.

People told us they would speak out if they had any concerns about the service. The service’s complaints procedure was pictorial and user-friendly. If people did complain staff addressed their concerns and worked with them to bring about a resolution.

The service was well-led and people and relatives made many positive comments about it. They said it was a safe, happy place where people were respected and valued. Managers asked people and relatives for feedback on the service and made changes where necessary.

The managers and staff were open, friendly and helpful. People, relatives and staff said they liked the family atmosphere at the service. Relatives told us they could visit the service at any time and were always made welcome.

The managers carried out regular audits which led to improvements being made to the service. They worked in partnership with other health and social care professionals to ensure people’s need were met.

Kit Care Agency is registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide personal care to people. At the time of this inspection, Kit Care Agency provided care to 10 people living in supported living arrangements.

The registered manager had not always completed capacity assessments and recorded best interest decisions in line with the MCA.

Systems or processes were not fully in place to provide assurances on the quality and safety of services. Feedback to evaluate and improve services was not gathered and records were not always complete.

Staff training in areas relevant to people’s needs had not been consistently provided. In addition, staff did not have the benefit of a structured induction period when they joined the service.

Steps had been taken to reduce risks to people, including those risks from preventable harm and abuse. Steps had been taken to ensure medicines were managed safely.

Checks were made on staff when recruited to ensure they were suitable to work at the service.

Enough staff were available to meet people’s needs and to provide personalised and responsive care. Staff felt able to contact their managers for support if needed; in addition staff supervision meetings had been introduced to support and develop staff on an individual basis.

People were supported to have sufficient food and drink and their independence in this area was promoted. People were supported to access other healthcare provision when needed.

Staff were friendly and caring and had positive relationships with people. Staff promoted people’s independence and respected their privacy and dignity. People were supported to make choices and their views were reflected in their care plans. People were supported to enjoy a range of interests and hobbies in their communities.

The service responded to any issues raised and a procedure was in place to record and investigate formal complaints.

Care was responsive and personalised as it was focussed on meeting the needs of each individual person. People and families had the opportunity to contribute to reviews of their relatives care.

There was a registered manager at the service at the time of our inspection. 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.

At this inspection we found two breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we told the provider to take at the back of the main report.