Background to this inspection
Updated
16 October 2021
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 support to people living in their own homes.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. The registered manager was also the provider and are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
The inspection was announced. We announced the inspection a few days in advance to ensure appropriate management would be available to participate in the inspection process and to make arrangements for information to be shared with the commission before the site visit.
Inspection activity started on the 27 September and ended on 29 September 2021. We visited the office location on 27 September 2021.
What we did before the inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service since they registered with CQC.
The provider was not asked to complete a provider information return prior to this inspection. 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. We used all this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We visited the office to review records and met with the provider. We reviewed a range of records. This included three people’s support 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.
After the inspection
We spoke with three staff members, two people who used the service and a relative. We continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We reviewed the additional documentation we had requested from the provider prior to and during the site visit.
Updated
16 October 2021
About the service
Promoting Independence South West is a domiciliary care service that provides support to people living in their own homes. Support was provided to people living with mental health conditions and learning disabilities and autism. At the time of the inspection 22 people were being supported.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
People were supported to be as independent as possible and have control over their lives. People's dignity was respected, and staff encouraged and supported people to make decisions and choices about how they spent their time. Staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible and in their best interests; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.e
People received support with their food and drink, medicines and any healthcare needs. Staff completed records at each visit which detailed the support provided.
People were prompted with their personal care. Staff supported people towards a stable and independent lifestyle.
Visiting schedules were arranged each week in advance, according to people’s needs and wishes, then people were advised who would be coming and when.
A training record was held for all staff. Necessary training subjects had been completed along with training designed to meet the specific needs of the people using the service. COVID-19 training had been provided and the infection control policy had been reviewed to included COVID-19 guidance for staff. Staff were tested weekly for the Covid-19 infection. All staff had been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Records showed people’s needs were assessed and recorded. Risks were identified and assessed. Staff were provided with guidance and information that helped them to meet each person’s specific needs.
The service was growing rapidly and actively recruiting at the time of this inspection. Staff were recruited safely. However, the registered manager had not always ensured that previous employment dates were confirmed with each reference received. We have made a recommendation about this in the safe section of this report.
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.
This service was able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
Right support:
• The model of care maximised choice, control and independence. People were supported to use community activities when they chose. Staff provided personalised opportunities to take part in community activities. One person had been supported to become more involved in a local club, which they enjoyed.
Right care:
• People were complimentary of the support provided. They told us staff understood their needs and they were confident that staff had the knowledge and skills to provide personalised support.
Right culture:
• There was good oversight of the service from the provider. Staff told us they were able to access management support when they needed to. This meant there were opportunities to ensure support was provided in line with the service’s ethos and values.
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 in July 2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection to provide a first rating of the service since their registration.
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.