Archived: PICAS

Updated 21 December 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 one ‘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; 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

Our inspection was announced. We gave the service 24 hours’ notice of the inspection. This was because people are often out and we wanted to be sure there would be people available to speak with us. Inspection activity took place on 21 November 2019. We visited the provider’s office in Redbridge and visited people who lived in their own houses and flats in the local area.

What we did before the inspection

Before the inspection, we reviewed relevant information that we had about the service including any notifications of safeguarding or incidents affecting the safety and wellbeing of people. A notification is information about important events, which the provider is required to tell us about by law. We also checked the last inspection report and requested feedback from social care professionals.

Due to technical problems, the provider was not able to complete a Provider Information Return. 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.

During the inspection

We spoke with the registered manager, the care coordinator and four care staff. We also spoke with three people who used the service. Some people were not able to speak with us due to their disabilities. We reviewed documents and records that related to people’s care and the management of the service. We reviewed five people’s care plans and five staff recruitment files. We also looked at staff training records, audits, rotas, complaint and incident records.

After the inspection

We continued to seek further evidence and clarification from the provider, which we have included in the report. We also spoke with two relatives, by telephone, for their feedback about the service.

Updated 21 December 2019

PICAS (Pathways Independent Care and Autism Services) is a supported living service providing personal care to people aged 18 and over with learning disabilities and/or autism. The service can support up to 10 people living in their owns houses and flats in the London Boroughs of Redbridge, Newham and Hackney. At the time of the inspection, 10 people were using the service, all of whom received personal care.

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. People using the service receive planned and co-ordinated person-centred support that is appropriate and inclusive for them. The service supported people with learning disabilities and/or autism in line with these principles.

People lived in houses and flats in residential areas within or nearby town centres. The properties fitted into the residential area and other domestic homes of a similar size.

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

The service was safe. There were procedures to protect people from abuse. Risks associated with their needs were assessed and staff understood how to reduce these risks.

People were supported with their medicines. Staff were trained and competent in administering medicines to people. Staff followed infection control procedures. There was a procedure to review accidents and incidents in the service to learn lessons and prevent reoccurrence. Recruitment procedures were followed safely and new staff had their backgrounds checked to ensure they were safe and suitable to work with people.

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 felt supported by the registered manager. Quality assurance systems included checks on people’s care and obtaining feedback from people and relatives. The registered manager collated feedback to help make improvements to the service. However, we have made a recommendation for the provider to review how policies and procedures in the service are kept up to date because we found they were not always in line with current guidance.

Staff were supported with training and development to increase their skills and knowledge. People were supported with maintaining their health and nutrition. The service worked in collaboration with health care professionals, to ensure people's health needs were met.

Staff were kind and caring towards people. They respected people’s dignity and privacy. People were encouraged to be independent and go about their daily lives and routines. Staff understood the importance of promoting equality and diversity. People were supported to maintain relationships and a private life.

People received person-centred care and support. Their care plans were personalised according to their wishes and preferences. People were supported to pursue hobbies, interests and vocations of their choice, including finding part time work and educational courses. People were protected from social isolation. Staff communicated with people appropriately according to their communication needs. People and their relatives were supported to make complaints if they had a concern or were not happy with the service.

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

Rating at last inspection

The last rating for this service was good (report published 5 June 2017).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

Follow up

We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If any concerning information is received we may inspect sooner.