Archived: SeeAbility - Kingston Support Service

SeeAbility - Kingston Support Service is a supported living service providing personal care and support for up to five people with a learning disability. At the time of inspection five people were using the service. The service is a large, detached building close to local shops and other amenities. People who used the service have their own bedrooms and had access to communal areas that include a lounge, extended patio/dining room and an enclosed private garden.

People’s care and housing are provided under separate contractual agreements. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) does not regulate premises used for supported living.

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 supported living service had been developed and designed in line with values that underpin the principles of Registering the Right support, right care, right culture. This enabled people who used the service to live as full a life as possible and achieve the best possible outcomes.

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

Sufficient numbers of staff were deployed to deliver care and meet people’s needs although there had been episodes when some shifts had not been covered. Staff told us this increased work pressures but were aware of the provider’s recruitment efforts to resolve the issue.

Risks to people’s health were assessed and managed. People’s care was delivered in a safe manner that protected them from the risk of avoidable harm. Staff understood their responsibility to identify and report abuse.

Staff received training and support to enable them to undertake their roles. People had sufficient food and drink.

People were supported in a kind and compassionate manner. People and their relatives made positive comments about the leadership and the management of the home. They were happy with the quality of care provided. Checks were carried out on the quality of care provided and improvements made when needed.

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 were assured the provider was following national guidance on good infection prevention and control protocols in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff followed the measures in place to mitigate risks in relation to COVID-19 pandemic and protect people from the risk of acquiring infections.

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

Rating at last inspection

This service was registered with us on 07/01/2020 and this is the first inspection. The service underwent a change in their registration. The last rating for the service under the previous registration was good, published on 6/11/2018.

We looked at infection prevention and control measures under the Safe key question. We look at this even if no concerns or risks have been identified. This is to provide assurance the service can respond to COVID-19 and other infection outbreaks effectively.

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection of a newly registered service.