About the service

Independent Living Services is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people living in their own homes. At the time of this inspection the service was supporting 13 people with a learning disability and/or who were on the autistic spectrum. Twelve people lived in four shared supported living houses and one person had their own flat in an extra care facility.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) only inspects the service being received by people provided with ‘personal care’, which is help with tasks related to personal hygiene and eating. We do not inspect the premises people live in. Not everyone using Independent Living Services receives personal care but where they do we also take into account any wider social care provided.

People’s experience of using this service

People were treated with exceptional care and kindness. Staff demonstrated a strong empathy for people at the service and were skilled in identifying and supporting people at times of emotional distress. Staff used innovative ways to help people manage and reduce their anxieties, leading to people gaining in confidence and being able to enjoy their lives more. They were consulted about their support and could change how things were done if they wanted to. People were treated with respect and their dignity was upheld. This was confirmed by people we spoke with and relatives who provided feedback. People's diverse needs were identified and met. People's right to confidentiality was protected.

The principles and values of Registering the Right Support and other best practice guidance ensure people with a learning disability and/or autism can live as full a life as possible. This includes achieving the best outcomes that include control, choice and independence. At this inspection the provider had ensured they were applied. The outcomes for people using the service reflected the principles and values of Registering the Right Support by promoting choice and control, independence and inclusion. People's support focused on them having as many opportunities as possible for them to gain new skills and become more independent. This resulted in them leading fuller lives than they had previously.

People were protected from the risks of abuse and said they felt safe with the staff providing their support and care. Risks to people’s personal safety had been assessed and plans were in place to minimise those risks. Staff recruitment and staffing levels supported people to stay safe while working towards their goals and going about their lives.

People received effective care and support from staff who knew them well and were well trained. People received effective health care and support. Medicines were stored and handled correctly and safely. People's rights to make their own decisions were protected. They were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives and staff supported them in the least restrictive way possible; the policies and systems in the service supported this practice.

People received care and support that was personalised to meet their individual needs. People were able to enjoy a number of activities, based on their known likes and preferences. Staff continually looked for ways to improve and enhance people's lives by exploring new activities and employment people could participate in.

People benefitted from staff who were happy in their work and felt well managed and supported. People benefitted from a service which had an open and inclusive culture and encouraged suggestions and ideas for improvement from people who use the service, their relatives and staff.

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

Rating at last inspection

At the last inspection the service was rated Good (report published 15 December 2016).

Why we inspected

This was a planned inspection based on the previous rating.

This inspection took place on 22 and 23 November 2016 and was announced. We gave the registered manager 48 hours' notice because the location provides a domiciliary care service and we needed to make sure someone would be in the office. This was the first inspection of the service since it was added to the provider's registration on 1 December 2015.

Independent Living Services is a domiciliary care service providing personal care to people in their own homes. People who use the service live in supported living accommodation in the Wokingham area. At the time of our inspection there were 12 people receiving a service.

The service had a registered manager as required. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the CQC 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. The registered manager was present and assisted us during the inspection.

People were protected from the risks of abuse. Staff promoted and encouraged people to make their own decisions. People and their relatives confirmed people were encouraged and supported to maintain and increase their independence.

People's rights to make their own decisions were protected. Managers and staff had a good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. They were aware of their responsibilities related to the Act and ensured that any decisions made on behalf of people were made within the law and in their best interests. Applications had not been made to the Court of Protection where people were potentially being deprived of their liberty. However, those people were identified during the inspection and the registered manager asked their funding authority to start the application process.

People received effective care and support from staff who knew them well and were well trained. Relatives told us the staff mostly had the training and skills they needed when working with their family members. However, one relative felt it would benefit people who use the service if staff received training on autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We discussed this with the registered manager who agreed. By the second day of our inspection the registered manager had sourced and arranged for all staff to undertake ASD awareness training, to be completed by the end of January 2017.

People were treated with care and kindness. They were consulted about their support and could change how things were done if they wanted to. People were treated with respect and their dignity was upheld. This was confirmed by people and their relatives we spoke with.

People's right to confidentiality was protected and they received support that was individualised to their personal preferences and needs. People's diversity needs were identified and incorporated into their care plans where applicable.

People and their relatives knew how to complain and knew the process to follow if they had concerns. They confirmed they felt the staff and management would act upon any concern raised.

Staff were happy working for the service and people benefitted from staff who felt well managed and supported. People and their relatives told us the service was well-led, which was confirmed by health and social care professionals.

People benefitted from a service which had an open and inclusive culture and encouraged suggestions and ideas for improvement from people who use the service, their relatives and staff.