We carried out a review of the data available to us about Kalm Living on 6 July 2023. We have not found evidence that we need to carry out an inspection or reassess our rating at this stage.
This could change at any time if we receive new information. We will continue to monitor data about this service.
If you have concerns about Kalm Living, you can give feedback on this service.
Kalm Living is a supported living service that currently provides care and support to 31 people living in individual group homes in the north Devon area of Bideford.
The service had operated for several years as an 'enabling' service only and as such was not required to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). In order to provide personal care to people, Kalm Living registered with CQC on 13 November 2018 and is now a regulated service.
Not everyone who used the service received personal care. CQC only inspects where people receive personal care. This is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. Where they do we also consider any wider social care provided.
At the time of inspection, two people received personal care. They each lived with other people in two different homes.
Within each home, there are designated private areas within the homes for staff sleeping in which does not impinge on the shared communal space. There are no designated offices in the homes.
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.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People felt safe at Kalm Living. Staff understood their responsibilities about keeping people safe. Risks were identified and managed. Incidents and accidents were recorded so they could be reflected upon to make improvements to the service. Staff understood how to prevent the spread of infection.
People were supported by staff who were motivated and passionate in their roles. Staff were recruited safely, received the appropriate training and regular supervision. They felt part of the running of the service and that their opinions mattered. Some staff had worked with the people they looked after for many years previously and knew them extremely well.
People were treated in a kind and caring way by staff who supported them to lead fulfilling lives based on their choices and preferences. People were encouraged to be independent and try new things.
The individual group houses had a ‘family feel’ to them and felt like it was the person’s home.
People’s care plans were up to date and reflected people’s support and care needs. People received their medicines safely. People and relatives knew how to complain if needed.
People were encouraged to be part of the local community and undertake activities and interests based on their choices and preferences.
People were 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 policies and systems in the service supported this practice.
The service was led by a registered manager who had a clear vision about the quality of care they wanted to provide. This was shared by the staff team who worked within an open and welcoming culture.
There were quality assurance systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service to focus on continuous improvement.
For more details, please see the full report which is on the CQC website at www.cqc.org.uk
This service was registered with us on 13/11/2018 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was the first planned inspection based on the provider’s registration date.
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.