Global Social Care provides care and support to people living in ‘supported living’ settings, 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. At the time of this inspection six people with learning disabilities were using the service living in two ‘supported living’ settings.

The inspection took place on 19 and 20 February and 8 March 2018 and was announced. One inspector carried out this inspection. At the last inspection in November 2016, the service was rated as ‘Good’ overall but we found the provider did not consistently record all quality checks of medicine records. During this inspection, we found improvements had been made.

There was a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

People and relatives spoke positively about the service. The registered manager had systems in place to obtain feedback from people who used the service. The provider carried out various quality checks to make improvements on any issues identified. The registered manager had regular team meetings with the staff.

Staff knew about people’s care needs and about developing caring relationships. Each person had a named care worker who had overall responsibility for their care. The provider included people and their relatives in decisions about care. Staff described how they promoted people’s privacy, dignity and independence. Staff were knowledgeable about people’s equality and diversity needs and how to support people with their relationship needs.

Care records were personalised and contained people’s preferences and the goals they wanted to achieve. Staff were knowledgeable about providing person-centred care. People were able to engage in activities at home and in the community. The service had a complaints procedure and people and relatives knew how to make a complaint. The registered manager planned to discuss end of life care at people’s next care reviews.

Staff were knowledgeable about safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures. The provider had safe recruitment processes in place. There were enough staff to meet people’s needs. Risk assessments were done to mitigate the risks of harm people may face at home and in the community. Medicines were managed safely. People were protected from the spread of infection. The provider used accidents and incidents as a learning tool to improve the service and prevent a reoccurrence.

People and relatives told us the provider delivered effective care. Each person had an assessment of their care needs to ensure the provider could meet their needs. New staff received an induction and were offered ongoing training during their employment with the service. Staff were supported with regular supervisions. People were supported to eat a nutritionally balanced diet and to maintain their health. Staff were knowledgeable about obtaining consent before delivering care.

We have made one recommendation about the provider’s responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act (2005).

We inspected Global Social Care Services on 8 November 2016. This was an announced inspection. We informed the provider 48 hours in advance of our visit that we would be inspecting. This was to ensure there was somebody at the location to facilitate our inspection.

Global Social Care Service provides care and support to people in a supported living setting, specifically for people with learning disabilities. At the time of our inspection, the service was caring for two people across two schemes. This was the first inspection of the service since it was registered with the Care Quality Commission.

The service had a registered manager in place. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Records did not support the service had effective systems or processes in place to assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of people using the service. The service did not record medicine administration chart quality checks and spot checks. Also the service did not offer satisfaction surveys to people who used the service and relatives as stated in the provider’s quality assurance policy.

Systems were in place to help ensure people were safe. Staff had undertaken training about safeguarding adults and had a good understanding of their responsibilities with regard to this. Risk assessments were in place which provided information about how to support people in a safe manner. Staff understood their responsibilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We found there were enough staff working to support people in a safe way in line with their assessed level of need. The service had arrangements for the management of medicines to protect people against the risks associated with medicines.

Staff received regular training and were knowledgeable about their roles and responsibilities. They had the skills, knowledge and experience required to support people with their care and support needs. Recruitment and selection procedures were in place and appropriate checks had been undertaken before staff began work.

Staff knew the people they were supporting and provided a personalised service. Care plans were in place detailing how people wished to be supported and people and their relatives were involved in making decisions about their care. People's needs relating to equality and diversity were recorded and acted upon

The registered manager was open and supportive. Staff, people who used the service and relatives felt able to speak with the registered manager and provided feedback on the service.

We found one breach of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. You can see what action we asked the provider to take at the back of the full version of this report.