Background to this inspection
Updated
1 February 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.
Inspection team
This inspection was carried out by one inspector and an Expert by Experience. An Expert by Experience is a person who has personal experience of using or caring for someone who uses this type of care service.
Service and service type
This service provides care and support to people living in their own homes. 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.
The service had a manager registered with the Care Quality Commission. This means that they and the provider are legally responsible for how the service is run and for the quality and safety of the care provided.
Notice of inspection
This inspection was unannounced.
Due to the size of the service and the complexity of people's care and support needs, inspection activity started on 22 December 2021 and ended 05 January 2022. We visited the office location on 29 December 2021.
What we did before inspection
We reviewed information we had received about the service. We sought feedback from the local authority and professionals who work with the service. We used the information the provider sent us in the provider information return. This is information providers are required to send us with key information about their service, what they do well, and improvements they plan to make. This information helps support our inspections. We used all of this information to plan our inspection.
During the inspection
We spoke with three people who used the service and seven relatives about their experience of the support provided. We spoke with seven members of staff including the interim manager.
We reviewed a range of records. This included six people’s care records medication records. We looked at five 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 continued to seek clarification from the provider to validate evidence found. We looked at training data and quality assurance records. We spoke with four professionals who regularly work with the service.
Updated
1 February 2022
About the service
Cheshire and Manchester Branch Office known to people using the service and staff as AFG (Alternative Futures Group), is a supported living service providing personal care to people who live in their own homes across Cheshire and Manchester.
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 the inspection, a total of 122 people were receiving support with personal care.
People’s experience of using this service and what we found
We have made a recommendation about recording and reporting in regards to people’s health.
People felt safe with staff, who had the appropriate training and skills to provide care safely and effectively. The provider had systems in place to ensure people were protected from abuse and avoidable harm.
Risks to people were assessed and regularly reviewed. Staff understood the actions needed to minimise the risk of potential harm including the prevention of infection.
Safe recruitment practices were followed, and appropriate checks completed to ensure that only suitable staff were employed. There was an ongoing process of staff recruitment to ensure people were supported safely and effectively. Staff received an induction and were supported through a programme of regular supervision and training.
People, relatives and health and social care professionals spoke positively about the service provided. People received personalised care which was responsive to their individual needs. Staff had a good understanding of the care and support people needed and provided this with kindness, care and compassion, whilst respecting their privacy and dignity.
People and their significant others were involved in their care and consulted when planning and agreeing their support needs. Effective working partnerships with other agencies and health and social care professionals had been formed.
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 able to demonstrate how they were meeting the underpinning principles of Right support, right care, right culture.
People had individual tenancies in their own home or small home with others. Staff worked in a way which promoted people's independence. People confirmed their privacy and dignity was respected. Support plans were person centred and ensured the person or significant other, was involved in the development and review of their plan as far as possible. People were supported to make choices and live the life they chose.
Rating at last inspection
This service was registered with us on 01/10/2020 and this is the first inspection.
Why we inspected
This was a planned inspection as per our inspection programme.
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.