Archived: Making Space Domiciliary Care & Outreach Service

Updated 27 April 2015

We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection checked 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 3 and 4 March 2015. We contacted the service the day before the visit to let them know we were inspecting. We did this because they provide a domiciliary care service and we needed to be sure that someone would be in. The inspection was carried out by one inspector. Before the inspection we reviewed the information we held about the service, including notifications and previous inspection reports. We also spoke to the local authority contract monitoring team.

We used a number of different methods to help us understand the experiences of people who used the service. During the inspection visit we spoke with four people who used the service. We talked with two support workers and the registered manager. We spent some time observing people being supported and looked at a sample of records. These included two people’s support plans and other related documentation, staff recruitment records, medication records, policies and procedures and audits.

Updated 27 April 2015

We carried out an inspection of Making Space Domiciliary Care & Outreach Service on 3 and 4 March 2015. The service is registered to provide personal care to adults affected by mental ill health, living in their own homes. The service is operated from an office base, located amongst tenanted flats owned by a housing association.

The service provides support to some of the people accommodated in the flats and provides outreach support to people living within the local area. The aim of the service is to maintain people’s independence, promote their wellbeing and support their chosen lifestyle. The range of services provided includes support with personal care, daily living activities, social inclusion and emotional support. The office base was an accessible resource to people using the service, for informal and formal discussions, sharing information and group activities.

At the previous inspection on 25 July 2013 we found the service was meeting all the standards assessed.

The service was managed by 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 people we spoke with indicated they experienced good support. One person said, “The support is very good, I don’t know where I would be without them” another commented, “It’s brilliant I get as much support as I need.”

We found arrangements were in place to help keep people safe. Risks to people’s well-being were being assessed and managed. People using the service had no concerns about the way they were supported. They had been informed about matters relating to safeguarding and protection.

Support workers were aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and they knew what to do if they had any concerns. Proper character checks had been done before new staff started working at the service. Staff said they had received training on safeguarding and protection. They had also received ‘breakaway’ training to enable them to proactively respond to behaviours of concern.

Arrangements were in place to maintain appropriate staffing levels to make sure people received their contracted support. There were systems in place to ensure all staff received regular training and supervision.

People were receiving safe support with their medicines. However, we found improvements were needed with some records, to make sure staff had clear instructions to follow on providing safe support.

We found people were supported to live their chosen lifestyles. They had agreed to the support and care provided by the service. People were supported with their healthcare needs and medical appointments. Where appropriate they were supported with eating and drinking. Changes and progress in people’s life and circumstances was monitored and responded to.

People made positive comments about the staff team including their approach and how they were treated with respect. The considered their privacy was maintained and they were actively encouraged to be independent.

People were aware of their care plans and said they had been involved with them. There were regular tenants meetings to discuss day to day matters and group activities. People were supported to engage in activities within the local community and were encouraged to pursue their hobbies and interests.

Arrangements were in place to gather information on people’s backgrounds, their needs and abilities, before they used the service. People’s life and circumstances were monitored and reviewed in consultation with appropriate others, including care coordinators and mental health care professionals.

There were effective complaints processes in place. There was a formal system to manage, investigate and respond to people’s complaints and concerns. People could also express concerns or dissatisfaction within their support reviews and tenants meetings.