Background to this inspection
Updated
16 June 2022
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.
As part of this inspection we looked at the infection control and prevention measures in place. This was conducted so we can understand the preparedness of the service in preventing or managing an infection outbreak, and to identify good practice we can share with other services.
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; this inspection looked at people’s personal care and support
Notice of inspection
We gave a short period of notice of the inspection because some of the people using it could not consent to a home visit from an inspector. This meant that we had to arrange for a ‘best interests’ decision about this.
Inspection activity started on 12 May 2022 and ended on 20 May 2022. We visited the office location on 12 May 2022.
What we did before inspection
The provider was not asked to complete a Provider Information Return (PIR) prior to this inspection. A PIR is information providers send us to give some key information about the service, what the service does well and improvements they plan to make. We reviewed information we had received about the service since the last inspection. We sought feedback from the local authority. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with both people who used the service and one relative about their experience of the care provided. We spoke with four members of staff including the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included two people’s care records and their medication records. We looked at two staff files in relation to recruitment and staff supervision. A variety of records relating to the management of the service, including policies and procedures were reviewed.
Updated
16 June 2022
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee people with a learning disability and autistic people respect, equality, dignity, choices and independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. ‘Right support, right care, right culture’ is the guidance CQC follows to make assessments and judgements about services supporting people with a learning disability and autistic people and providers must have regard to it.
About the service
Poole View Support Services (formerly known as Omega House) is a supported living service providing personal care to two people at the time of the inspection. The service can support up to two people. People lived in one large home together. They had their own bedrooms and shared a bathroom and lounge dining area. The provider also lived in the home. People shared the kitchen and garden with the provider.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
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.
We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted. Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.
The service was not able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right Support
People in supported living arrangements should have their care and their tenancy agreement provided to them separately. This allows them to have choices to remain in their home but seek an alternative care provider if they wish to. Because people were living in the home of the provider, this choice was not fully available to them. The provider gave assurance people could remain in their home and receive care from others if the need ever arose. The provider had not identified some concerns we found during our inspection. Systems were either not in place or not robust enough to identify some issues around procedures to ensure safe and effective care for people. We saw no evidence anyone was harmed, and the provider took immediate steps to address the concerns we highlighted. Some staff had not completed training in learning disabilities awareness but did complete an induction and ongoing training programme.
People were supported by staff to pursue their interests. The service gave people care and support in a safe, clean, well equipped, well-furnished and well-maintained environment which met their sensory and physical needs. Staff enabled people to access specialist health and social care support in the community. Staff supported people to make decisions following best practice in decision-making. Staff communicated with people in ways which met their needs. Staff supported people to play an active role in maintaining their own health and wellbeing.
Right Care
People received kind and compassionate care. Staff protected and respected people’s privacy and dignity. They understood and responded to their individual needs. Staff understood how to protect people from poor care and abuse. The service worked well with other agencies to do so. Staff had training on how to recognise and report abuse and they knew how to apply it. People’s care, treatment and support plans reflected their range of needs and this promoted their wellbeing and enjoyment of life. People could take part in activities and pursue interests tailored to them. Staff and people cooperated to assess risks people might face. Where appropriate, staff encouraged and enabled people to take positive risks.
Right culture
People received good quality care, support and treatment because staff and specialists could meet their needs and wishes. People and those important to them, were involved in planning their care. People’s quality of life was enhanced by the service’s culture of improvement and inclusivity.
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 the service at the previous premises was good, published on 9 August 2018. This is the first inspection at the new location.
Why we inspected
The service had been open for over a year at its new location, this prompted its first inspection.
Enforcement
We are mindful of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our regulatory function. This meant we took account of the exceptional circumstances arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when considering what enforcement action was necessary and proportionate to keep people safe as a result of this inspection. We will continue to monitor the service and will take further action if needed.
We have identified a breach in relation to the governance and oversight of how care is provided to people at this inspection. Please see the action we have told the provider to take at the end of this report.
Follow up
We will work with the local authority and monitor progress to ensure the provider improves to a rating of at least good. We will return to visit as per our re-inspection programme. If we receive any concerning information we may inspect sooner.