Background to this inspection
Updated
6 September 2019
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 Care Act 2014.
Inspection team
The inspection was carried out by one inspector.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in a ‘supported living’ setting, 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; only one person in the supported living location was receiving a regulated activity so this inspection looked at that person’s personal care and support. The service also provides care to people living in their own homes, however, none of the people receiving care in their homes was receiving a regulated activity.
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 it is a small service and we needed to be sure that the provider or registered manager would be in the office to support the inspection.
Inspection activity started on 20 August 2019 and ended on the same day. This included a visit to the office and the supported living location.
What we did before the inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. This is information we require providers to send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We took this into account when we inspected the service and made the judgements in this report. We reviewed information we held about the service including statutory notifications which providers are required to inform the CQC of, such as accident or incidents that have happened at the service. We used this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with the person who was receiving a regulated activity about their experience of the care provided. However, they were unable to answer complex questions. We spoke with four members of staff including the registered manager, the service manager, and two care staff.
We reviewed a range of records. This included the person’s care records and their medicine administration record. We looked at four staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures, quality assurance audits and accidents and incidents were reviewed.
After the inspection
We continued to seek clarification from the registered manager to validate the evidence found. We looked at records relating to the management of medicines, the Mental Capacity Act capacity assessments and best interests decisions. We contacted, and received feedback from a family member. We also contacted five health and social care professionals but did not receive any response or further feedback.
Updated
6 September 2019
About the service
Potens Surrey: Supported Living and Outreach is a supported living and homecare service providing personal care and support to adults and young people living in an adapted house and people living in their own homes. Not everyone using Potens Surrey: Supported Living and Outreach received a regulated activity at the time of our inspection. The only person receiving a regulated activity lived in the adapted house supported living service.
The service has been developed and designed in line with the principles and values that underpin Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. This ensures that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes. The principles reflect the need for people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live meaningful lives that include control, choice, and independence. The person using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
The person received care and support that was safe. The provider took steps to protect the person from risks, including the risk of abuse or avoidable harm. Recruitment processes were in place to make sure when staff were employed they were suitable to work with the people they supported. The provider actively promoted safety around medicines and infection control.
The person received care and support that was effective and based on their assessment and care plans. Staff were trained and supported to deliver care according to the person’s needs; and worked with other agencies to deliver consistent and effective care. The person was supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests.
The person had a caring and kind relationships with staff and the management team. The management team and staff worked to respect and promote the person’s privacy, dignity and independence by encouraging the person and their family to be involved in their care.
The person received care and support which met their needs and reflected their preferences. The provider complied with best practice guidance with respect to meeting the person’s communication needs.
The service was well led. There was focus on meeting the person’s individual needs, working in cooperation with others and continuous learning. This was supported by an effective management system appropriate for the size of the organisation.
The service applied the principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance. These ensure that people who use the service can live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes that include control, choice and independence. The outcomes for the person using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. The person’s support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent.
The home has been rated good overall as it met the characteristics for this rating in all five of the key questions. More information is in the full report, which is on the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website at: www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us on 10 March 2016 and this is the first inspection as they had not previously been supporting people with a regulated activity.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection based on their registration.
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.